Written questions by Morello.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps she has taken with cabinet colleagues to tailor homelessness prevention strategies for (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural communities.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help provide accommodation for homeless people in rural areas.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of living costs on homelessness rates; and what steps she is taking to mitigate that potential impact.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those at risk of, or affected by, homelessness.The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a scheme providing discretionary support to those most in need towards the cost of essentials, such as food, energy and water. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available to those in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit who need additional help with rent or housing costs. Both schemes are delivered via local authorities.The Government is investing £1 billion in extending the HSF by a further year, from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026 and extending DHPs into 2025/26. Additional funding for the Devolved Governments will be provided through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. As announced at Autumn Budget we are also introducing a Fair Payment Rate for Universal Credit customers with deductions to retain more of their benefit award.The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has her department made of the potential impact of the operation of the new waste incinerator on Portland on public transport in West Dorset constituency.

Full reasons for the decision are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to promote cross-departmental collaboration to strengthen rural communities following recent riots.

The Government has made £15 million available to the places most severely affected by disorder through the Community Recovery Fund to support the immediate recovery. Officials from my department have also carried out an extensive engagement process with these places to understand and address the underlying causes of the unrest.The disorder that affected communities across the UK following the Southport tragedy this summer has made clear that a new approach to community cohesion is urgently needed. This is a priority for the Government and I have stood up a cross-government Communities & Recovery Steering Group to oversee this work.We are listening to communities across the country to understand the challenges they face and this will inform how this Government works to empower communities and build greater cohesion.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to review the funding formula for local authorities to increase the distribution of funding provided to communities in rural areas, in the context of levels costs for providing services in sparsely populated areas.

After years of delaying much needed fair funding reform, we will update and improve the approach to funding allocations within the Local Government Finance Settlement by redistributing funding to ensure that it reflects an up-to-date assessment of need and local resources.This will start with a deprivation-based approach in 2025-26 with additional funding targeted to the places that need it most. Broader redistribution of funding will follow through a multi-year settlement from 2026-27.We will be publishing a policy statement in late November, where we will set out our intentions for reform of the local government finance system.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support local authorities in sparsely populated regions, in the context of varying levels of per capita costs for delivering services.

We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services, of which at least £600 million is for social care.After years of delaying much needed fair funding reform, we will update and improve the approach to funding allocations within the Local Government Finance Settlement by redistributing funding to ensure that it reflects an up-to-date assessment of need and local resources.This will start with a deprivation-based approach in 2025-26 with additional funding targeted to the places that need it most. Broader redistribution of funding will follow through a multi-year settlement from 2026-27.We will be publishing a policy statement in late November, where we will set out our intentions for reform of the local government finance system.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will take steps to provide additional (a) support and (b) guidance to the owners of listed buildings in West Dorset constituency on her proposed changes to the planning framework.

Further to my answer to Question UIN 10200 on 29 October 2024, as the Government takes forward its programme of planning reform we will consider the need for guidance to support listed building owners and look for opportunities to improve the heritage planning process.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 24 September 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including proposals to reduce the administrative requirements for the owners of listed buildings who are seeking planning permissions.

Further to my answer to Question UIN 10200 on 29 October 2024, as the Government takes forward its programme of planning reform we will consider the need for guidance to support listed building owners and look for opportunities to improve the heritage planning process.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing more clarity to Local Plans and Design Codes in order for Community Land Trusts to develop land for their local communities.

The Government intends to introduce a package of plan-making reforms next year which will make the process of preparing local development plans clearer and more transparent, as well as making it easier for communities and stakeholders, including Community Land Trusts, to engage with it.National design guidance already highlights the importance of community consultation in the preparation of design codes. To assist neighbourhoods in preparing their own codes the department have also supported Locality, a national membership network of local community organisations, including Community Land Trusts, providing specialist advice, peer learning and resources.In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework specifically included proposals designed to strengthen support for community-led housing, including changes to the size limit on community-led exception sites and a broadening of the definition of organisations able to deliver community-led housing. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of those proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings in rural areas.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what steps her Department is taking to balance requirements for new housing developments with the protection of heritage sites.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings that are seeking to adapt their buildings to modern energy efficiency standards.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

Communities & Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a new waste incinerator in Portland on (a) levels of traffic and (b) infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 8613 answered on 18 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Portland Incinerator on local infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The full reasons for the decision to grant the permission in question are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is providing support to local authorities in rural areas where demand for social housing exceeds supply.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high property prices on the availability of social housing in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure there is adequacy supply of social housing in West Dorset constituency.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure new energy efficient housing targets do not negatively impact (a) green spaces and (b) the environment.

The Future Homes Standard consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. It set out proposals for improving the energy efficiency standards for new homes. The proposed standards should not materially affect the footprint or density of new homes so no negative impact on green spaces would therefore be expected. The proposals will also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions when compared to current standards for new homes, resulting in a positive environmental impact. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the consultation and will publish the Government response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the impact of basing the council tax that a household pays on the value of their property relative to others on 1 April 1991 on rural areas.

All properties in England are assigned one of eight council tax bands based on their capital value in April 1991. Valuing all properties based on the same date ensures that all dwellings are valued on a fair and consistent basis, but the Government does monitor council tax levels for different councils and across regions. The Government will continue to keep all tax policy under review.