Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 88657, on Renters’ Rights Act 2025, if he will publish the terms of reference and project specification for the study commissioned from Verian; and what the timetable is for it to report.

As is usual practice, my Department will publish relevant information on the Verian study on the evaluation registry in due course. This will include the rationale and methods of the evaluation, alongside publication dates. The report findings will be published two and five years after the Renters’ Rights Act implementation date of 1 May 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to use his Best Value powers to stop local authorities boycotting or divesting in companies based in, or which trade with, Israel.

Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 01/16 remains in force which prohibits procurement boycotts by public authorities against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel, unless formal government sanctions are in place Under the Local Government Act 1999, local authorities have a statutory Best Value duty to secure continuous improvement in how they exercise their functions, having regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Secretary of State may intervene where there is significant, systemic, and extensive failure to meet this duty, based on a holistic assessment of all relevant information. The government has published guidance for local authorities on meeting the Best Value duty and on intervention.

Communities and Local Government, whether the figures on local authority, fire and police core spending power include or exclude the grant funding to compensate local public bodies for the increase in National Insurance contributions for employees.

As set out at the 2026/27 provisional local government finance settlement, the £502 million Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant from 2025/26 will be consolidated into the Revenue Support Grant. As outlined in the explanatory note on Mayoral Strategic Authority funding existing Strategic Authorities will receive the Mayoral Capacity Fund in 2026/27, which takes account of their allocation from Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant from 2025/26. Police authorities received funding for the increase in employee National Insurance Contributions separately.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report, Antisemitism: Recent Government Actions and Next Steps, published on 17 December 2025, what steps is the Government taking to tackle anti-semitism caused by (a) Islamist extremism and (b) radicalised anti-Israeli sentiment.

This Government takes extremism seriously and we are committed to ensuring we have the required tools and powers needed to address this issue. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society which is why countering it in all its forms remains an operational priority for our security and intelligence services. Regardless of the worldview it draws from, if an ideology is causing harm by radicalising others into hatred, violence and extremism we will take action to prevent this and to safeguard susceptible individuals. We understand that Islamist and extreme right-wing ideologies remain the most prominent today hence why it remains at the very heart of our approach. Everyone in this country has the right to feel safe. We work closely with policing and Jewish community stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities. The Community Security Trust has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This includes additional emergency funding of £10 million. The Government also works closely with HMG’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism and with the established Antisemitism Working Group on how to effectively tackle antisemitism and engage Jewish communities around international, national and local events affecting British Jews.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 88270 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Publicity, how much has been spent on translation and interpretation by his Department and each of its Arm's Length Bodies since July 2024.

The MHCLG and it’s Arm’s Length Bodies do not hold a central record of translation and interpretation costs in relation to publicity.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 87779, on MHCLG: Standards, if he will list each of the data sources that are provided under licence by third parties.

As per the department’s response to PQ 78227 on 20 October, the “Rolling annual number of first-time buyers with a mortgage” and “New Lets (Zoopla)” metrics listed draw from data provided by third parties.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2025 to Question 90716 on Asylum: Housing, which local government bodies the Government is currently working with.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working closely with the Home Office, local authorities and their national membership bodies in addition to devolved partners to develop and deliver a new, more sustainable model for asylum accommodation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the visit by Lord Khan to Pakistan from 13 April to 17 April 2025, for what reason no meetings are listed for the four day period in the transparency document entitled MHCLG: ministerial meetings, April to June 2025.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84924 on 20 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 2 January 2026, to Question 98813, on Travellers: Caravan Sites, whether such charging for traveller transit sites could be in potential statutory scope of local authority powers to charge the new overnight visitor levy.

On 26 November 2025, the government published a consultation on the introduction of a new overnight visitor levy power which seeks views on the design of the power. The government is proposing to exempt stays in registered Gypsy and Traveller sites where the accommodation is a primary residence. The consultation will run until 18 February 2026 and following this, the government will bring forward legislation.

Communities and Local Government, whether Warwick District Council sought advice from his Department prior to introducing its second home council tax premium.

The Government does not provide advice to councils on the application of the council tax premiums. The Government has published guidance on the administration of premiums. Councils must make their own decisions on whether to charge a premium based on the legislation and their own local circumstances. Councils administer council tax independently of central government. Where necessary, councils should seek their own independent legal advice on the interpretation of legislation.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 2 January 2026 to Question 99204 on Local Government Finance ,whether the allocation of the £200 million will be delayed as a result of the delays in combined authority mayoral elections.

The six Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the Devolution Priority Programme will receive close to £200 million collectively per year for 30 years through their Investment Funds. Before Mayors are elected, and with the consent of the constituent councils the institutions are established, government will provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed Adlington New Town.

In developing its recommendations, the New Towns Taskforce engaged with local leaders from across the country and delivered a series of targeted engagement events. As set out in the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce final report, which can be found on gov.uk here, we will publish the draft proposals and final SEA for consultation in the coming months.

Communities and Local Government, how many staff have been given permission to run for election in the (a) May 2025 and (b) May 2026 local elections.

The department does not hold a central record of all permissions granted. Request numbers are small and are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with policy.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department undertook a public sector equality duty assessment on the decision to cancel the mayoral elections.

The Government intends to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities via secondary legislation for all the Devolution Priority Programme areas as soon as possible, subject to the councils’ consent. Devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, and this extra time will allow these four areas to establish strong institutions ahead of their Mayors taking office in 2028. The decision to hold the mayoral elections at a later date does not necessitate a Public Sector Equality Duty assessment, as an assessment will be produced for the establishment legislation.

Communities and Local Government, what the latest possible date is for him to make a decision to cancel scheduled council elections in May 2026.

The deadline for representations on the postponement of local elections in May 2026 is 15 January. After this, the Secretary of State will consider all views provided, together with any other representations received, before decisions are made. If the Secretary of State decides to postpone an election, legislation will be brought forward as soon as practicable and the House will be updated.

Communities and Local Government, what is the cash terms cap for an individual hereditament on Supporting Small Business Relief in (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29; and whether the £800 amount will increase by inflation.

Supporting Small Business Relief (SSBR) limits the increase in the bills of those ratepayers whose business rates liability will increase as a result of the 2026 revaluation. SSBR ensures that any increase is limited to £800 per year, or the relevant caps within Transitional Relief, whichever is higher. This is the case for all years between 2026 and the next revaluation.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance has the (a) Government and (b) Planning Inspectorate given to local planning authorities and inspectors on the implications of the Equality Act 2010 for planning policy.

My Department does not provide guidance on the implications of the Equality Act 2010 for planning policy to either local planning authorities or inspectors. The Government Equalities Office publishes guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty for public bodies, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to build new homes for asylum seekers using public funds.

I refer the rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78206 on 23 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what is the contact email and postal address for representations to the Rycroft review into foreign financial interference in UK politics.

The contact email for representations to the Rycroft review into foreign financial interference in UK politics is reviewteam@rycroftreview.independent.gov.uk. More information can be found here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 99606 on Local Government: Essex, whether the existing Police and Crime Commissioners in the devolution priority areas will now serve their full terms until 2028; and in what year will the new combined authority mayors take up the policing powers currently undertaken by the Police and Crime Commissioners.

Home Office Ministers will announce in due course plans for the transfers of PCC functions in the Devolution Priority Programme.