Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's timetable is for consulting political parties on measures to be included in the Elections Bill.

An Elections Bill will be introduced when parliamentary time allows. The Government will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders to help ensure that proposed changes address the priorities of the sector. We have begun engagement with political parties on the detail of the proposals and will continue to do so in advance of introduction.

Communities and Local Government, what data his Department collates on instances of electoral fraud.

Data on allegations and outcomes of electoral fraud is collected by police forces across the UK and provided to the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission then publishes this information annually on its website. The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, the police and other partners to safeguard the integrity of elections and maintain public confidence in the democratic process.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the written statement on 19 November 2025, HCWS1071, on Local Government Reorganisation, by when legislation is needed to cancel local elections that were scheduled to take place in May 2026.

As set out in my statement of 18 December, councils are in the best position to judge their local capacity and the impact of potential postponements of local elections in their area. In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders, this government will listen to them.We have therefore written to council leaders in the councils going through reorganisation with elections scheduled for May 2026, inviting them to set out their views by 15 January.If any legislation is required, it will be brought forward as soon as possible.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2025, to Question 46110, on Waste Disposal: Birmingham, whether he plans to request further support from military personnel in relation to this strike.

Currently, there is no build-up of waste in Birmingham and collection rates remain consistently high. A small number of office-based military personnel with logistical expertise were made available to the Council when it was dealing with a Major Incident earlier in the year but they returned to normal duties after a short period. We are in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the Council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 4 December 2025, HCWS1128, on Devolution Priority Programme, whether delays to scheduled combined authority mayoral elections will impact the implementation of the overnight visitors levy.

The government will set out its legislative priorities for the second session in the King's speech. We expect that local leaders will be able to introduce a levy before the end of this Parliament. It will be for Mayors, once elected, to decide whether a visitor levy is right for their area.The government intends to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all the Devolution Priority Programme areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for meaningful preparatory work and continue to build local collaboration. We will work closely with each Devolution Priority Programme area to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release of 25 November 2025, Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, on what date mayors were informed of that policy.

The government received representations from Mayors for a new visitor levy power earlier this year. Following consideration of these representations, Mayors were informed of the policy on 25 November.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance on charging travellers for using transit sites for caravans.

The Department has not issued guidance on charging travellers for using transit sites for caravans. This would be a decision for the local authority to make.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 90710 on MHCLG: Glenigan, whether the data received included unbuilt-out planning permissions.

I refer the Rt hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78185 on 20 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has a policy on social tenants in high-value social housing passing on lifetime tenancies to their children.

The assessed value of a social rent property has no bearing on tenants’ rights to pass down their tenancy to their children. Those living in high-value social rent homes will be subject to the same succession rights set out in legislation as other social housing tenants on secure tenancies.

Communities and Local Government, what data (a) his Department and (b) the Land Registry holds on the proportion of leasehold flats that have a lease less than (i) 99 and (ii) 80 years.

Data on lease lengths at time of purchase are detailed on page 76 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Impact Assessment, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) previously produced research on regulatory barriers to housing development on brownfield land.

The government has not commissioned or previously produced a specific piece of research on regulatory barriers to housing development on brownfield land. I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84470 on 30 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036: MHCLG policy statement to accompany guidance to bidders from Homes England and the Greater London Authority, published on 7 November 2025, if he will set out the timetable to set RDEL and CDEL figures for funding the affordable housing programme in (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 60128 on 4 July 2025.

With reference to Box 3.H, and Table 4.1 of the Autumn Budget 2025, HC 1492, 26 November 2025, and to the HMT document, Effects of the business rates retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers and high value multiplier of 26 November 2025, what estimate she has made of the total gross revenue to be raised from the high-value multiplier in 2026-27.

The exchequer impact of the new high-value multiplier and RHL multipliers can be found on page 30 of the ‘Policy costings’ document, published at the Budget and found online at this address: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692872fd2a37784b16ecf676/Budget_2025-Policy_Costings.pdf

Food and Rural Affairs, what representations has her Department received on the closure of the (a) Smithfield and (b) Billingsgate market.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not received any representations about the closure and relocation of Smithfield and Billingsgate markets. Defra is not responsible for Smithfield or Billingsgate markets. This is a matter for the City of London Corporation.

Communities and Local Government, whether Homes England has issued guidance on (a) requiring diverse street names in new developments and (b) diversity targets on suppliers and registered providers receiving funding for developments outside London.

Street names are a local matter and are formally determined by the local authority for the area. Homes England does not set targets for diversity from suppliers or recipients of funding but does require that all partners comply with the Equalities Act 2010 and meet the needs of people across the country. All guidance for partners of Homes England is available on gov.uk, for example the recently published Social and Affordable Homes Programme guidance here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 84646 on Housing: Greater Manchester, what types of management information have been provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority under Schedule 3 of the agreement since July 2024.

Examples of management information received by my Department include accountancy and financial data.

Communities and Local Government, whether he discussed Departmental business at the Labour YIMBY awards on 24 November 2025.

The Secretary of State gave a speech on the overall government approach to housing. No other departmental business was discussed at this event.

Communities and Local Government, further to paragraph 2.58 of the OBR, Economic and Fiscal Outlook, November 2025, CP1439, 26 November 2025, whether there is a government estimate of the cumulative net additions between 2024-25 to 2029-30 for England as a whole.

I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 19066 on 20 December 2024

When film studio relief on business rates will be applied in relation to the high-value supplement in 2026-27.

The creative industries play a key role in driving economic growth, contributing £124.6 billion to the economy in 2022, and supporting over 2 million jobs. At Budget 2025, the Government announced that it is maintaining the 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. This is backdated to 1 April 2024, providing stability and support for the creative industries. Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their gross bill.

What is the Valuation Office Agency’s estimate of the number of dwellings that will be in each higher value council tax surcharge band, in (a) England, and (b) each local authority in England.

Fewer than 1% of properties in England are expected to be above the £2 million threshold. VO will be conducting a valuation exercise using industry standard techniques to identify properties worth more than £2m in 2026. A public consultation on details relating to the surcharge will be held in early 2026.