Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 120065, on Best Value: Surrey, and with reference to the Woking Borough Council: Commissioners’ sixth report, published 24 March 2026, para 11, what the most recent estimate is of the remaining amount of debt that Woking Borough Council holds; what amount is borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board; what amount of debt will be left after the capital receipts referred to in paragraph 11, and what amount of the total debt is deemed to be unrecoverable.

Local authorities provide the Government with data on their borrowing, including source of borrowing. The data can be found at Live tables on local government finance - GOV.UK. The Government recognises that Woking Council cannot manage the entirety of its debt locally and has made an unprecedented commitment to repay in-principle £500m of the Council’s debt in 2026-27. This is a first tranche of support, and we will continue to explore what further debt support is required at a later point. Further, we remain committed to providing interim financial support to the new unitary council until a final decision is made on further support. It is crucial that any debt support must take into account value for money for local and national taxpayers, and the Council’s continued commitment to reduce debt as far as possible within their local capacity including via an ongoing asset disposal programme.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report by the Electoral Commission on voter ID at the 2024 General Election, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of allowing vouching or attestation in polling stations on levels of (a) family voting and (b) impersonation.

The government has not made a specific assessment of the impact that allowing vouching or attestation at polling stations would have on levels of family voting or personation and has no plans to introduce such measures as alternatives to the requirement for voters to show identification.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to Question 110416, on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are any plans for HM Land Registry to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

The government has no plans to remove the HM reference in HM Land Registry’s public branding.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer, of 21 November 2025, to Question 90712, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether cash, debit and credit cards issued by a foreign bank, not regulated or based in the United Kingdom, and based in a foreign currency, will be accepted as proof of identity.

The Representation of the People Bill 2026 provides that only bank cards issued by UK‑regulated or authorised issuers will be accepted as voter identification. Consequently, cards issued by foreign banks that are not regulated or authorised in the UK, will not be able to be used.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 113641, on Parish and Town Councils: Council tax reduction schemes, what assessment has been made of (a) whether principal local authorities have reduced their financial support for parish councils, in relation to the application of local council tax support on parish precepts, in (a) 2025-26, and (b) 2026-27 budgets and (b) the associated effects on parish council precepts.

Local council tax support schemes are designed by local authorities in consultation with council taxpayers. It is the responsibility of principal authorities to work with parish and town councils on council tax matters, including support schemes and to agree appropriate funding arrangements to avoid large increases in parish precepts.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer, of 21 November 2025, to Question 90712, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether bank cards issued in (a) Iran, (b) Pakistan and (c) China will be accepted as identification.

The Representation of the People Bill 2026 provides that only bank cards issued by UK‑regulated or authorised issuers will be accepted as voter identification. Consequently, cards issued by foreign banks that are not regulated or authorised in the UK, will not be able to be used.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 119513, on Elections: Local Government, what consideration was given to consulting the Parliamentary Parties Panel on the local election pilots in May 2026.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117311 on Chinese Embassy: Construction, which public body will determine whether the Chinese Embassy complies with building regulations.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Paragraphs 100-102 of the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here. The letter and associated Inspector’s Report must be read in their entirety.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 118195, on Public Houses: Business Rates, if he will place the full analysis used to create that statistic of business rates in the Library.

The full analysis used to create the business rates statistic referred to in Question UIN 118195 uses hereditament level data that is subject to a Data Usage Agreement preventing onward disclosure.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 119517, on North Hertfordshire District Council: Elections, why the council was selected as a flexible voting pilot when it is not holding principal council elections in May 2026.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 25 March 2026 on Local Government Reorganisation, HCWS1455, if he will set out the proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the new mayoral combined authority; and how many votes each unitary will have on the new combined authorities in the devolution priority areas.

In the first instance, the Government is establishing Mayoral Combined County Authorities in the areas on the Devolution Priority Programme that are yet to undergo local government reorganisation. These will consist of the existing upper-tier local authorities. Following reorganisation, these Authorities will be converted to Mayoral Combined Authorities, consisting of the new unitary authorities. Governance, including voting, arrangements will be specified in the legislation to effect the conversion.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116474 on Combined Authority: Elections, what his Department's policy rationale is for aligning the Cheshire and Warrington and Cumbria combined authority mayoral elections with the May 2027 council elections, but not aligning for the other Devolution Priority Programme combined authority mayoral elections and new unitary elections.

Following requests by the local authority leaders of Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria, we agreed the inaugural mayoral elections for those two areas will take place in May 2027. The areas have issued public statements to explain their requests, highlighting that it would bring alignment with most local elections scheduled for 2027 – leading to significant savings and support higher turnout.The inaugural Mayoral elections for the remaining Devolution Priority Programme areas will be held in May 2028, so that they can complete the local government reorganisation process before Mayors take office. This will ensure that these institutions are built on firm foundations and that their Mayors are able to deliver for their regions and local communities from day one. Mayoral elections in Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria will go ahead as planned in May 2027 as these areas are not currently undergoing local government reorganisation.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2026, to Question 107022, on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether the provisions in the Local Government Publicity Code on hiring lobbyists applies to the City of London.

Yes.

Communities and Local Government, what the provisional budget is for flexible voting pilots in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.

The government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors. These pilots are part of the government’s commitment to encourage greater participation in our democracy and to modernise the voting process, this commitment extends to town and parish council elections, such as those being held in North Hertfordshire in May.The government did not receive any requests or expressions of interest that were rejected. Several local authorities expressed interest but did not make a formal application.There have been no prospectus documents, calls for evidence, bidding documents, consultations or pilot invitations published in the last twelve months on matters other than the flexible voting pilots.The flexible voting pilots are being funded by the Department.Regarding the government’s engagement with stakeholders for the flexible voting pilots, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Question UIN 87029 on 12 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the economic and social impact of the diversion of funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Towns Fund to the Pride of Place programme, in relation to the ending of government funding for small towns and high streets that are not a designated constituency in the Pride of Place programme.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Towns Fund were time limited programmes with specific aims. No funding from these programmes has been diverted to the Pride in Place Programme. The Pride in Place Programme is helping to deliver this government’s ambition targeting support to the most in-need communities to have the biggest impact. Full details of the methodologies used for place selection have been published on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 119661, on Agriculture: Land, whether his department has received representations from (a) local authorities and (b) Hon Members, in relation to planning enforcement of unauthorised traveller encampments and development being frustrated by the subdivision of land into multiple small plots.

My Department has received no representations regarding enforcement against unauthorised development undertaken by travellers being frustrated by the subdivision of land into multiple small plots.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 117886, on Election: Campaigns, whether sectarianism is being monitored by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP), led by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Cabinet Office is an enduring election security function, dedicated to coordinating a collective effort across Government to safeguard our elections against the range of threats we face.Before an election takes place, an ‘Election Cell’ is set up by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP). This brings together government departments, the police, the intelligence agencies, the Devolved Governments, and external partners to monitor and respond to any emerging issues across candidate, cyber and information security. MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit is also a core part of JESP’s Election Cell; the Community Cohesion Unit works closely during election campaigns with local partners, including the police and local councils to monitor and address issues related to cohesion. Harassment and intimidation of voters, electoral staff, candidates and campaigners, both online and in person, is totally unacceptable, whatever the driving cause, and has a profoundly detrimental impact on our democratic process. Government is also working closely with the Electoral Commission to develop an updated Code of Conduct for campaigning to set clear expectations for behaviour during election campaigns. Ahead of the updated Code of Conduct, the Electoral Commission has recently published a set of principles for campaigning respectfully and safely, which are welcomed by this Government.

Communities and Local Government, how will councils be expected to finance the remaining 10% cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant SEND deficit.

The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Statutory Override will remain in place until the end of 2027-28. While it remains in effect, all DSG deficits including any proportion of the historic deficit up to 2025-26 not covered by grant (“the residual deficit”) will remain in the associated statutory reserve (“the unusable reserve”) and will not affect local authorities’ wider financial positions. The DSG Statutory Override will end on 31 March 2028. Therefore, local authorities will need to plan to be able to meet the cost of the residual deficit from their own resources in 2028-29, including setting aside appropriate reserves in the preceding years.The Government recognises that some local authorities will continue to have concerns about the pressures of their DSG deficits and the sufficiency of a 90% grant. The Government committed as part of the publication of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement that it would work with local authorities with these challenges, as part of supporting the development of Local SEND Reform Plans.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department or Homes England undertakes liquidity tests on strategic partners.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 119480 on 17 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026, to Question 118666, on Elections: Pilot Schemes, if he will provide a relevant hyperlink for the invitation to pilot issued in August 2025.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 122112 on 27 March 2026.