Written questions by Cleverly.

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, what guidance has been given on whether overseas broadcasts to influence elections in the United Kingdom are permitted.

Since March 2025, the Foreign Interference Offence has been a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, requiring platforms to put in place proportionate systems and processes designed to prevent users from encountering content that amounts to the Foreign Interference Offence, minimise the length of time it is on their service and remove any illegal content on user-to-user services where they become aware of it.Ofcom has published its Codes of Practice which outline guidance on how platforms can comply with these duties. Platforms have already been required to assess the risk of illegal content (including foreign interference) on their services against this guidance.Ofcom has robust enforcement powers to enforce compliance with the illegal safety duties, with providers being required to implement the safety measures set out in the Codes or use other effective measures to protect users from illegal content and activity.

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.

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, pursuant to the answer of 12 September 2025, to Question 75184, on Fast Food: Planning, what his Department's policy if on whether sandwich shops are classed as fast food outlets.

As per my answer to Question UIN 75184 on 12 September 2025, it is for local planning authorities, when receiving a planning application, to consider whether, given the type of food and service to be provided at the location proposed, they consider the outlet to be either a hot food takeaway or a fast-food outlet.Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought feedback on the application of the term ‘fast-food outlets’ in planning decisions, and whether any further clarity could be provided on the types of establishments this policy should apply to.We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been given on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.

My Department has not issued specific guidance on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the Environmental Principles Assessment for the (a) December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework and (b) 2026 to 2036 Affordable Housing Programme.

I will deposit a copy of the relevant documents in the House of Commons Library. The hon. Member should note that there are some redactions to the assessment for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 that fall within the exception to disclosure at regulation 12(4)(e) and 12(4)(d) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2026 to Question 111129, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Pakistan, when the summary of the former Minister’s schedule will be placed in the Library of the House.

The summary has now been placed in the Library of the House.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of council tax 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, what is the timetable for the creation of a strategic authority for Surrey, and whether it will have an elected mayor.

On 12 February, the government wrote to all local authorities – including in Surrey – that do not currently have a devolution agreement inviting them to come forward with proposals for a non-mayoral, Foundation Strategic Authority across a sensible geography. Delivering this over the Surrey footprint to an April 2027 timetable would ensure that functions such as transport and adult skills continue to be delivered on a Surrey footprint. We are now reviewing responses. We see Foundation Strategic Authorities as a crucial way to build local capacity and partnerships, as a stepping stone towards mayoral devolution in the future.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 116749, on Local Government: Elections, whether the Secretary of State was advised that he was pre-determined.

It is a longstanding principle that the government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Communities and Local Government, what was the cost of the Islamophobia definition working group, including staff costs.

The Working Group members were not remunerated. A small amount of secretariat support was provided by staff in the department.

Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received from the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation on the new anti-Muslim hostility definition.

As is standard practice in government policy making, officials undertook limited and focused informal engagement with selected stakeholders as the government considered the advice submitted by the Working Group.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 Match 2026, to Question 116479, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether the cash withdrawal cards that will be accepted as identification will include reloadable, non-bank-account-linked payment cards.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out the requirements that a card must meet in order to be accepted at the polling station – they must be a physical credit card, charge card, debit card or prepaid card; they must display the individual’s first name and last name, or first initial and last name; the card must be issued by a person who is regulated or authorised by either the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. It may be possible for a reloadable, non-bank-account-linked payment card to meet these criteria.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2026, to Question 116488, on Absent Voting: British Nationals Abroad, what consideration has been made of using a QR code.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116488 on 9 March 2026; the government has no plans to allow electors to use a QR code to download and print their own ballot papers. The government also has no plans to introduce online voting in the UK or introduce QR codes to link to an online voting system. At present, there are serious concerns - shared internationally - about the risks of online voting, including cyber threats, fraud, and the challenge of ensuring a fully secure and anonymous ballot.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.

My Department has not issued specific guidance on the change of use and conversion of former school buildings to residential accommodation.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 110795 on 12 February 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) challenging and (b) tackling antisemitic attacks against retail branches of Gail’s.

Antisemitism is abhorrent and has no place in our society. The government remains committed to tackling all forms of hatred and ensuring that everyone in the UK can live free from fear of discrimination or violence. Work is ongoing across government on tackling antisemitism in all its forms, and as set out in our recent Protecting What Matters publication. To deliver this, we will continue to work with the Antisemitism Working Group and ministers are in regular discussions on antisemitism and antisemitic attacks.Where incidents involve criminal behaviour, this is an operational matter for the police.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 38, if he will make it his policy to publish the organisations that are subject to a policy of non-engagement.

This government does not comment on specific groups. It is up to each department to carry out due diligence when choosing to engage with, or fund, any organisation or individual and, if asked, we will advise and share information to help others inform their decisions. As announced in the Protecting What Matters publication last week, we are currently updating and embedding the 2024 engagement principles which will assist public bodies to not confer legitimacy, funding or influence on extremist groups.We will also publish an annual ‘State of Extremism’ report will support public sector staff to tackle extremism. This will include information on what extremism looks like today in the UK – groups, narratives and ideologies, including Islamist and Extreme Right – as well as the action this government is taking to disrupt these extremist threats. The first iteration of this will be published by the end of 2026.