Written questions by Cleverly.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, further to the Interministerial Group for Elections and Registration Communique: 30 October 2025, 10 December 2025, what is the timetable for the Electoral Commission to complete its evaluation of the Welsh automatic registration pilots.

The Commission published its evaluation of the Welsh automatic registration pilots on 15 December 2025.

Representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, what assessment the Client Board has made of the potential impact of government regulations on the projected costs of the Restoration and Renewal of Parliament; and whether it has had discussions with the Building Safety Regulator on Restoration and Renewal.

The Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576) sets out a recommended way forward for the R&R Programme, including the scope of the works and cost and timing estimates of different delivery options.Design work for the R&R works was carried out to meet the requirements set out by the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 and a range of relevant UK regulations regarding building standards, health and safety, and consents. The outcome level assessment conducted by the R&R Programme Board also made specific reference to regulations and standards. A separate assessment of “the potential impact of government regulations” on the projected costs set out the R&R Client Board’s report has not been undertaken.Officials from Parliament’s R&R Client Team have engaged recently with the Chair of the Building Safety Regulator. The R&R Delivery Authority plans engagement with the Building Safety Regulator and the Health and Safety Executive at the next stage of design.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the risks of impermissible donations being made through high-volume repeated donations through cryptocurrency in a series of below £500 transactions.

Individual payments of £500 or less are not treated in law as a donation, so recipients are not required to identify the donor or check that they are a permissible source for donations.The Commission has highlighted that there are some existing safeguards in law. Attempting to evade the restrictions on permissibility is a criminal offence, and the Commission advises parties to be vigilant to attempts to do so, such as repeated payments of £500 from the same source.However, the Commission has raised the possibility of AI being used to facilitate split payments and conceal the source which would increase the risk from these smaller payments. The Commission is engaging with parties to seek information about their approach to these payments. It has recently published interim guidance on cryptocurrency donations, and will publish further guidance later this year.The Commission has also published updated guidance on crowdfunding to ensure that parties understand how the law applies to donations raised through crowdfunding campaigns and can choose a platform that will support them to comply with the law.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, para 5.8, if he will publish the representation to MHCLG from the Electoral Commission.

The Commission’s correspondence to the Secretary of State is available on its website. In it the Commission makes clear its view that scheduled elections should go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what discussions has the Electoral Commission had with (a) the Metropolitan Police and (b) Defending Democracy Taskforce on whether police officers should be stationed by polling stations for the councillor and mayoral elections in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in May 2026.

The Commission has regular conversations with the Metropolitan Police and the Defending Democracy Taskforce about electoral security.It has met regularly with the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Enquiries Team ahead of elections in London in May 2026. It has discussed the stationing of police officers at polling stations, including in Tower Hamlets. It will continue to engage ahead of polling day.The Presiding Officer is responsible for the security of the polling station. The Commission provides advice to polling station staff on how and when to engage with police on security or electoral integrity matters.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment has the Electoral Commission made of the capacity of local authority EROs to organise council elections in May 2026 in the areas which were initially cancelled by the Government but have now been re-scheduled for May 2026; and what estimate has it made of the increased administrative costs from the cancellation and re-scheduling.

The Commission welcomed the certainty that all scheduled local elections will go ahead in May 2026. The Commission has contacted all affected local authorities to offer assistance and any additional support, working with them to address any immediate challenges.Funding for the delivery of local elections is a matter for local authorities and Returning Officers, who would have made individual planning decisions regarding the funding to support the delivery of the polls.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of support provided to Hon Members in providing democratic representation to registered overseas electors, assigned to their constituency, through the duration of a Parliament.

The Commission provides a range of services to Members to support them in their Parliamentary duties. It has not made a specific assessment of how these services support MPs in their representation of registered overseas electors.It is for each individual MP to determine how best to perform their duties, including how they use services to support their representation of constituents.

With reference to the OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook report of November 2025, Table A.5, what analysis her Department has done of the causes for the rise in estimated business rates receipts from £38.8 billion in 2028-29 to £41.9 billion in 2029-30.

Business rates receipts are forecast independently by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Information on changes to the Business Rates receipts can be found in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook report (paragraphs 4.38 to 4.40).

Further to the National Licensing Policy Framework published on November 2025, for what reason the guidance is non-statutory, and what consideration was given to issuing it as supplementary guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 to give it the same weight as the current Section 182 licensing guidance.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides only for statutory guidance to be issued under section 182, which is limited to guidance on the exercise of functions within the Act and the promotion of the four licensing objectives. The National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) supports wider regeneration and wider economic objectives that sit outside the scope of section 182 guidance and do not override the statutory licensing framework.The Government is keeping the effectiveness of the NLPF under review and is considering how best to strengthen its impact within the existing legislative framework, should it not have the desired effect.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the structural integrity, water ingress and building condition of (a) Portcullis House and (b) its atrium.

The Commission’s assessment of the structural integrity, water ingress and condition of Portcullis House and its atrium is informed by surveys and ongoing inspections as part of the routine management of the Parliamentary Estate.(a) Portcullis House – The building structure currently shows no visible signs of distress. More detailed intrusive surveys are scheduled for completion by summer recess 2026 to provide a fuller assessment. The causes of water ingress to the main roof have been identified and are being addressed through short‑term mitigation works, with longer‑term repairs proposed through the Portcullis House roofs project. The general condition of the building is continuously monitored by the Asset Management and Maintenance teams, with routine maintenance carried out as required. Additional projects are due to begin shortly to replace components, such as heating and cooling equipment, that have reached the end of their serviceable life.(b) Atrium – Assessments to date indicate that the timber and steel structure of the atrium roof is generally in reasonable condition. A programme of detailed and intrusive surveys will be completed by the summer to review the structure and the overall condition of the glazed roof. Temporary works to reduce water ingress are planned for completion by summer recess 2026, with longer‑term repairs or replacement works to follow once scope of works and the associated funding has been approved.

What proportion and amount of the (a) £18.3 billion police funding settlement and (b) the £746 million increase, is made up of council tax in England in 2026-27, according to the estimates made by the Home Office used to calculate the figures stated in the written statement of 28 January 2026, HCWS1285.

The final 2026-27 Police Funding Settlement confirmed funding to police forces in England and Wales of up to £18.4 billion, an increase of up to £796 million compared to the 2025-26 police funding settlement. Across England and Wales, this increase includes up to £364 million of additional funding from council tax precept.In England specifically, up to £5.9 billion of funding will come from the police precept. This is an increase of up to £342 million compared to 2025-26.As the police funding settlement precedes final decisions by policing bodies’ on their actual precept levels, published settlement figures are based on the referendum limit for policing bodies in England. The referendum limit determines the level of increase in Council Tax Band D bill levels above which a local referendum must be held. A £15 increase has been assumed for all policing bodies based on the referendum limits set out in MHCLG’s Local Government Finance Settlement. Published settlement figures are also based on tax base growth in line with the Autumn 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility forecast.The tables accompanying the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 January 2026 provide a breakdown of precept funding for individual police forces. The overall precept funding, and increase compared to the 2025-26 settlement can also be calculated using these tables. The Written Ministerial Statement and accompanying tables can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the economic viability of (a) pubs, (b) nightclubs, (c) bars and (d) other parts of the hospitality sector.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill Impact Assessment, published in November 2024, which was given a ‘green’ rating by the Regulatory Policy Committee, assesses the expected impact of policies on the face of the bill, including any impacts on the hospitality industry. The impact on the hospitality industry of any regulations implemented using powers in the bill will be assessed in separate impact assessments when these regulations are developed. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill Impact Assessment is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6985eeb7cfe7ccf77efbc74e/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-impact-assessment.pdf

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110396 on Strategic Migration Partnership: Finance, for what reason her Department does not currently publish funding levels to Strategic Migration Partnerships.

The Home Office does not publish the amounts due to the sensitive nature of the grant scheme.Previous years funding can be found here Government Grants Data and Statistics Government grants data and statistics - GOV.UK.

If she will issue guidance to the police on uniformed police officers being photographed holding the flags of foreign countries.

The Government has no plans to issue guidance on this matter.

Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 110397, on Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review, if she will make it her policy to set terms of reference to independent reviews that require them to follow the Government’s non-engagement principles.

An independent review should provide objective, credible and evidence-based assessments of the subject matter which it has been asked to evaluate.In line with the approach that has been taken by independent reviewers under successive governments, Chairs of independent reviews should determine which groups and organisations they wish to engage with in order to fulfil the terms of reference for their review. Direction from government as to appropriate engagement could impact the credibility and independence of a review.Once a review concludes, it is for Government Ministers to carefully consider its findings and recommendations before determining whether to accept them.

What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of pubs that are (a) independent, (b) owned by public companies and (c) owned by breweries.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Rt Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th March is attached.

What assessment her Department has made of potential merits of making English language training compulsory for asylum seekers who do not have English language proficiency.

The Government has set out its commitment to supporting successful integration, as highlighted in the Immigration White Paper. Being able to communicate effectively in English is essential for accessing public services, participating in civic life, securing employment, and building strong connections within local communities. Without sufficient language skills, individuals may face barriers to integration and increased risk of social isolation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110385, on Asylum: English language, for what reason there is a three-year qualifying period for English language training for those other than asylum seekers whose claims have been outstanding for six months or more.

Since August 2025, there has been no three-year residency requirement to access Adult Skills Fund provision. A correction to PQ 110385 was issued on 31 March.

How many staff are assigned to work in the Government’s Darlington Campus, by department; and whether workplace attendance is monitored.

The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) will comprise of two buildings Feethams House (open and in operation) and Brunswick St (in construction). These form part of a wider Darlington Portfolio - currently 8 buildings (excluding Brunswick St.). Of the 8 buildings, Bishopsgate House may yet form part of the DEC, but this is still undetermined.The GPA cannot confirm how many staff are assigned to work at the Darlington Economic Campus (in effect Feethams House at this time) as this information is held by individual departments. The GPA does not monitor attendance. However we do receive data for Feethams for the purpose of reporting to Departments on building utilisation, i.e. number of people occupying a building by department. This data is captured via building Access Control Systems.

Whether (a) her Department and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidance to political parties on candidate shortlists for elected office restricted on the basis of protected characteristics.

Guidance on what the Equality Act 2010 means for political parties, including candidate shortlists, is provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/equality-act-2010-guide-political-parties