Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to created a deferment scheme for council tax.

Local councils are responsible for the administration of council tax and they have discretionary powers to agree on alternative payment plans including deferrals. The department encourages taxpayers in hardship to contact their local authority to discuss their individual circumstances. The department currently has no plans to introduce a council tax deferral scheme.On 26 November, the Chancellor announced the introduction of a High Value Council Tax Surcharge. There will be a support scheme in place for those who cannot pay. The Government will consult on options for support or deferral.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025, to Question 89916, on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether the existing council elections within the area described as Greater Essex, scheduled for May 2026, (a) will or (b) will not be cancelled as a consequence of the unitary restructuring proposals announced in the written statement of 19 November 2025, HCWS1071, on Local Government Reorganisation.

There are no plans to introduce such legislation to cancel any May 2026 elections for any of the areas listed in the written statement. The only area where currently scheduled elections will be cancelled is in Surrey, where, subject to Parliamentary agreement, these will be replaced with elections to the new councils of East Surrey and West Surrey.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend electoral law to prevent councillors standing for election in overseas countries.

The Government is clear that any councillor elected by local people to serve their interests must continue to do so as their highest priority. I am considering whether a change in legislation is needed to address the rare instances where serving councillors seek election overseas. Any legislative change would be subject to securing Parliamentary time.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 19 November 2025, HCWS1071, on Local Government Reorganisation, whether he plans to introduce structural changes secondary legislation in (a) February and (b) March 2026 to cancel scheduled council elections in May 2026 for the local authority areas listed.

There are no plans to introduce such legislation to cancel any May 2026 elections for any of the areas listed in the written statement. The only area where currently scheduled elections will be cancelled is in Surrey, where, subject to Parliamentary agreement, these will be replaced with elections to the new councils of East Surrey and West Surrey.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 14 November 2025 to Question HL11496 on Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Ebbsfleet, what the purpose was of the site visit to the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest; and whether the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation made representations during that visit.

The purpose of the visit in question was to share knowledge and expertise between DEFRA, MHCLG, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) and Natural England about how to best to harmonise development and nature recovery, drawing on insights from EDC and Natural England’s joint working on this recently designated site.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 15 September 202, to Question HL10015, Planning Permission, and with reference to paragraph 3.25 of the Budget 2025, HC1492, 26 November 2025, in what financial years the funding for the 350 planning officers will be allocated; and whether previous funding for planning officers was for one year only.

At the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system as a one-year settlement for 2025-2026. At the Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor announced a further £48 million of investment over three years to support local planning authorities to attract, retain and develop skilled planners over a sustained period. Of this, £28.8 million has been allocated to MHCLG’s Planning Capacity and Capability Programme, equating to £9.6 million additional per year for the next three years. This allocation will supplement existing budgets. In total, the Programme now aims to deliver around 1,325 planners by the end of this Parliament, significantly exceeding our original manifesto commitment to deliver 300 new planning officers. Wider cross-government recruitment and investment in planning capacity and capability will increase this figure further to approximately 1,400 planners. The new funding will support both graduate and mid-career entry routes into planning, including by means of expanding the Pathways to Planning Graduate Scheme and establishing a Planning Careers Hub.

Communities and Local Government, whether the overnight visitor levy will apply to Christian retreat accommodation where a commercial charge is levied on the visitor.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Further to the HMT guidance entitled High Value Council Tax Surcharge published on 26 November 2025, for what reason social housing is exempt from the new council tax surcharge.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) applies to the highest-value properties to make taxation fairer. It affects less than 1% of homes in England and ensures those with the broadest shoulders contribute their fair share towards funding local government services. The tax will only be paid by owners of homes worth over £2m. Social housing is provided to support low-income and vulnerable groups, and therefore social landlords will be exempt.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025, to Question 91362, on Waste Disposal: Birmingham, what proportion of the 9.8% increase in core spending power in Birmingham in 2025-26 was made up of council tax.

Information on Core Spending Power for Birmingham Council, including how much is available from Council Tax, can be found here.

Communities and Local Government, further to the Chief Planner newsletter of 24 November 2025, whether an (a) Impact Assessment, (b) Equality Impact Assessment and (c) Environmental Principles Assessment was undertaken in relation to the decision to revoke the Letter from Nick Boles to the Planning Inspectorate of 11 March 2014 on Green Belt reviews.

The letter in question has already been superseded by changes to national planning policy, including the changes made to Green Belt policy as set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024.The relevant impact assessments (including Equality Impact Assessment and Environmental Principles Assessment) were taken in relation to these policy changes.As such, no separate Impact Assessment, Equality Impact Assessment or Environmental Principles Assessment consideration was undertaken in respect of the revocation of the letter.Additionally, as set out in my letter of 9 October 2025 to the Planning Inspectorate (which can be found on gov.uk here), it is ultimately for the strategic policy-making authority to decide to undertake a review of Green Belt boundaries. The authority should take their decision in accordance with the tests set out in national policy. It is also their responsibility to undertake any relevant impact assessments in relation to that decision.

Whether the banding thresholds for the high value council tax surcharge will be uprated each year in line with changes to (a) inflation or (b) the house price index.

Properties will be revalued every 5 years and banding thresholds will be kept under review alongside the revaluations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025, to Question 88278, on Travellers: Caravan Sites, if he will make it his policy to undertake research into the issue of unauthorised travellers frustrating Temporary Stop Notices by subdividing land into multiple plots.

My Department has no plans to undertake research into this specific issue at this time.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral Answer of 24 November 2025 on East Sussex County Council: Elections, what is the Secretary of State's definition for the length of time which represents a very short term in office.

We are clear that the starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise.There is precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisation is in progress. That postponement can prevent costly and distracting elections for short-term posts in councils which will shortly be abolished is a key consideration.The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government reorganisation.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025, to Question 90709, on Shops: Planning Permission, and the Answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86776, on Retail Trade: Urban Areas, what are the new specific powers for local authorities to block unwanted (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers that would apply to shops that are not otherwise long-term empty, separate to the Companies House changes.

As we have set out, there are a range of measures to tackle this issue. This government has since announced further action to crack down on illegal high street activity in premises such as mini-marts, barbershops, vape shops, nail bars and car washes. The Autumn Budget has provided £15 million per year to fund enhanced enforcement activity and establish a cross-government policy taskforce to better understand and disrupt organised crime, money laundering and related criminality on our high streets.This is in addition to wider measures, which support stronger action against those who break the rules, including amending the Company Directors Disqualification Act to extend the circumstances in which directors who break the law can be disqualified.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, of 25 November 2025, what is the estimated increase to the cost of an average family holiday, with two adults and two children, in England.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, of 25 November 2025, for what reason the press release was distributed via gov.uk before the Written Ministerial Statement was laid before Parliament.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, whether the overnight visitor levy will be levied only in areas with mayoral strategic authorities, or whether it will be chargeable by other local authorities without a mayor.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025, to Question 23941, on Tourism: Taxation, and further to the MHCLG press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, what was the rationale for the change in the Chancellor’s policy further to that set out in January.

The Government keeps all tax policy under review. The Government’s number one mission is to kickstart economic growth, and devolving fiscal powers is critical to achieving this. Introducing powers to raise a visitor levy provides Mayors with a new lever to both raise and reinvest revenue locally. Mayors in Strategic Authorities have made clear that introducing a new, discretionary visitor levy power is one of their shared priorities for further devolution.

Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, "Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth", of 25 November 2025, whether the overnight visitor levy will be levied in addition to existing Business Improvement District levies charged on hereditaments which are overnight accommodation.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of governments proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear these concerns. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.It will be for Business Improvement District (BID) bodies and businesses to determine whether to continue with BID arrangements following any local decision to put in place a visitor levy.The Written Ministerial Statement was made in Parliament prior to the press notice being issued on gov.uk.

With reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth, published on 25 November 2025, whether VAT will be levied (a) before and (b) after the addition of the overnight visitor levy to the core hotel bill.

The design of the visitor levy is subject to consultation and decisions from Mayors about whether to introduce a levy and how it is implemented locally.