Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 16, what steps he is taking to promote Englishness and a national sense of identity in England.

A great strength of our national identity is its pluralism. Whether we are from England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland; whatever our religion or belief; whether we were born here or abroad; or whatever the colour of our skin, we can all embrace our shared identity, celebrate what we have in common, and be proud of our country’s long history and heritage.As set out in Protecting What Matters, we will set clear national integration expectations for communities across the country, focused on stronger social connections, shared identity, English language proficiency, and participation in work. We will also strengthen the national curriculum and qualifications in England to ensure high quality teaching of our nation’s history.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116477 on Local government: elections, what his timetable is for establishing the claimant’s reasonable legal costs.

An initial payment has been made, and the remaining costs will be determined in line with the usual processes.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 110793, on MHCLG: Flexible Working, what is the reason for the number of staff on a 4 day week on compressed hours rising from 214 in January 2025 to 339 in January 2026.

Staff have a statutory right to apply for flexible working at any point during their employment.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 28, what issues the consultation paper on national integration will include.

This government recognises that integration is a two-way street: we all share a role in providing opportunities for people to participate free from fear of discrimination or bigotry, while newcomers have a responsibility to engage with and embrace what it means to be British.As set out in Protecting What Matters, we will set clear national integration expectations - focused on stronger social connections, shared identity, English language proficiency, and participation in work. To ensure these expectation are grounded in evidence and lived experience, we will launch a national consultation later this year.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has met with representatives of the (a) Dar Alhekma Trust, (b) Islamic Centre of England, (c) Abrar Islamic Foundation, and (d) Centre for Media Monitoring, since July 2024.

The Department has not met with representatives of the (a) Dar Alhekma Trust, (b) Islamic Centre of England, (c) Abrar Islamic Foundation, or (d) Centre for Media Monitoring.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 29, whether requirements to learn English for new arrivals will apply to asylum seekers as a condition of receiving (a) asylum and (b) settled status.

The ability to use and understand our shared language is a fundamental basis for participating in society and an expectation of all who wish to call the UK home. English language proficiency is a key facilitator of cohesive communities, and proficiency provides opportunity for individuals, including improved social connections, participation, access to employment and access to essential services. A decision to grant asylum is based on whether an individual is at risk of persecution in their home country. In compliance with our international obligations, this does not take into account whether or not they can speak English. As outlined in Protecting What Matters, this government has already strengthened English language requirements for people subject to immigration control, including those applying for settlement. We will also review English language provision to identify best practice, and explore how innovation, including digital delivery, can increase the numbers able to speak English, with conclusions published in Autumn 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish all substantive communications made to the court by the Government in the context of the legal challenge on the cancellation of the May 2026 local elections.

Correspondence with the court has been routine and administrative; there are therefore no substantive communications to publish.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the new Chinese Embassy (a) follows planning permission and conditions and (b) complies with building regulations.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the paragraphs 103-105 of the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to help prevent anti-Israeli boycotts and divestment campaigns in local authorities.

The Government strongly opposes boycotts by local authorities except where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government. Boycotts can be unlawful and lead to penalties against the contracting authority and the Government.

Communities and Local Government, what information the Land Registry holds on the average house price in each (a) local authority and (b) constituency in England.

HM Land Registry publishes open data on prices paid for properties sold in England and Wales. For customers who want aggregated price data for statistical analysis, the Standard Report Tool available here provides average prices and volume of sales. This allows anyone to configure a report for various geographical areas in England and Wales, from the country level down to postcode sectors, and then download the data in a form suitable for use in a spreadsheet or other data analysis tool.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the Evaluation of the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loans Fund from 2025.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 104772 on 19 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of local authority planning enforcement in relation to unauthorised traveller (a) development and (b) encampments.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116473 on 9 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his statement of 9 March 2026, Official Report, Column 80, on Social Cohesion Action Plan, if he will publish the full report from the independent working group.

As stated in their terms of reference, the advice submitted by the anti-Muslim hatred/ Islamophobia definition Working Group was private advice for Ministers' internal consideration.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of council tax increases since July 2024 on the cost of living.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 110405 on 11 February 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the election pilots prospectus that has been sent to councils.

The government has no plans to publish the prospectus regarding flexible voting pilots, which was previously shared with local authorities. The government has published full details of the flexible voting pilots in the form of the orders, and factsheet.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2026, to Question 116488, on Absent Voting: British Nationals Abroad, what consideration has the Electoral Commission made of this issue.

The Electoral Commission operates independently of Government and addressed the experience of Overseas Electors in its report on the 2024 General Election.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the declared interests of each member of the Government's Working Group on Islamophobia.

As per their Terms of Reference, the members of the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group were required to disclose any conflicts of interests before they were appointed, and these were considered by the Department as part of the appointments process. Members were required to abide by the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and follow the Seven Principles of Public Life. The principles include that holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to introduce statutory guidance to Returning Officers so there is an explicit obligation to enforce the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 in polling stations and intervene to stop the practice of so-called family voting.

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 119522 on 18 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what criteria the Electoral Commission uses to accredit election observers.

The Electoral Commission operates independently of government. I would recommend that the Rt Hon. Member contacts them directly to discuss their approach to accrediting election observers.

Communities and Local Government, in what circumstances do staff members in the Local Government Pension Scheme receive their full pension if they are subject to a (a) voluntary or (b) compulsory redundancy after the age of 55.

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Regulations lay out the treatment of the pensions of LGPS members when subject to voluntary and compulsory redundancy over the age of 55. On redundancy, an active LGPS member with at least two years membership over the age of 55 will be eligible for receipt of an unreduced pension.