Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his department's factsheet, Political Donations Overview: existing rules and what is changing, of 2 March 2026, through what mechanism will political parties be able to ascertain the past and current revenues of (a) small companies and (b) micro-entities, given the lack of profit and loss data in Companies House accounts.

The government’s position on political donation thresholds and donor permissibility is set out in legislation and in the Representation of the People Bill. The Electoral Commission will reflect any necessary changes in their guidance. In terms of unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation. The new rules will not exclude companies less than three years old. The reference in the factsheet to a three‑year period is intended as a window of time for assessing whether a company can demonstrate sufficient revenue. It does not operate as an age‑based restriction. Companies will be able to make political donations, provided they are able to demonstrate sufficient revenue and meet the other eligibility criteria set out in legislation. Where a company is majority‑owned or controlled by another company, the donating company must meet the eligibility criteria in its own right. A company that does not meet those criteria would be impermissible, regardless of whether the owning company itself is permissible.

Media and Sport, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 21, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of reductions in the requirements for statutory notices in local papers on the financial sustainability of local newspapers.

As part of the Local Media Action Plan, we have outlined plans for a review of statutory notices. In this review, we intend to consult on whether action is needed to better ensure that communities have access to journalistic scrutiny of local decisionmaking. We will launch a public consultation, to determine whether any changes to legislation are required, and our approach will be informed by the following principles, that we: continue to drive transparency and accountability in local governanceserve all audienceshelp ensure value for money to the local authorities and others required to publicise the information contained within statutory noticesmaintain a link to journalistic scrutinyfoster innovation in the local media ecosystem and do not unfairly disadvantage local news outlets with a proven track record in public interest journalism regardless of whether they operate in print, online or both. We will publish our planned timetable in the coming weeks.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 43, if she will publish the full terms of reference of the review into misinformation being undertaken by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, and whether the review is being conducted within government, or whether it will be outsourced to an external research organisation.

The Government Office for Science commissioned an external academic consortium to undertake this evidence review. The review aims to synthesise the latest published literature on misinformation and has been directed to focus on how to measure the problem, assess harms and counter and mitigate these harms. The study protocol can be found at OSF. The completed review, which will be published in due course, will help inform government’s approach to identifying and tackling harmful misinformation.

Communities and Local Government, whether the 2013 Written Ministerial Statement advising local authorities against translating into foreign languages remains his department’s policy.

We are clear that the ability to use and understand our shared language should be a fundamental basis for participating in society and an expectation of those who wish to call the UK home. To support this, we are reviewing English language provision to identify best practice, and explore how innovation, including digital delivery, can increase the number of people able to speak English.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026, to Question 118666, on Elections: Pilot Schemes, what the provisional budget is for pilot schemes in May 2026.

The government’s position on political donation thresholds and donor permissibility is set out in legislation and in the Representation of the People Bill. The Electoral Commission will reflect any necessary changes in their guidance. In terms of unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation. The new rules will not exclude companies less than three years old. The reference in the factsheet to a three‑year period is intended as a window of time for assessing whether a company can demonstrate sufficient revenue. It does not operate as an age‑based restriction. Companies will be able to make political donations, provided they are able to demonstrate sufficient revenue and meet the other eligibility criteria set out in legislation. Where a company is majority‑owned or controlled by another company, the donating company must meet the eligibility criteria in its own right. A company that does not meet those criteria would be impermissible, regardless of whether the owning company itself is permissible.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 28, whether the cross-government integration strategy will be published as a substantive policy or strategic document in its own right.

We will provide more detail of the cross-government integration strategy in due course.The Social Cohesion Taskforce is an internal Civil Service team comprised of civil servants. Following existing precedent, we will not be identifying members.

What discussions his Department has had with representatives of businesses, landlords and the property sector on proposed changes to minimum Energy Performance Certificate standards for non-domestic properties.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has engaged extensively with businesses, landlords and the property sector on the proposed changes to the policy on minimum energy performance standards for privately rented non-domestic property. This includes formal public consultations in 2019 and 2021, ongoing engagement with trade bodies, investors, letting agents and small business representatives, and targeted workshops to understand impacts, costs and deliverability. Stakeholders have consistently emphasised the importance of regulatory certainty, sufficient lead-in times and proportionate requirements, which have informed revisions to the proposed timelines and policy design.

Whether the Church of England will be liable for council tax surcharge for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence in Lambeth Palace and its associated gardens.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) is a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million or more in 2026, taking effect in April 2028. Owners, not residents, will pay the surcharge. The government will consult on potential exemptions and reliefs in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definitions received responses to its call for evidence from the (a) Dar Alhekma Trust, (b) Islamic Centre of England, (c) Abrar Islamic Foundation and (d) Centre for Media Monitoring.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/ Islamophobia Working Group launched a Call for Evidence which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was able to submit evidence. The government does not routinely publish the details of individual respondents to calls for evidence.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2025, to Question 27162, on Civil Society: Islam, whether the Islamophobia Working Group took evidence from (a) MEND, (b) CAGE, (c) the Muslim Association of Britain and (d) the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/ Islamophobia Working Group launched a Call for Evidence which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was able to submit evidence.The Department does not engage with MEND, CAGE, the Muslim Association of Britain or the Muslim Council of Britain and the Working Group did not meet with any of these organisations.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's flowchart entitled Political Donations Overview: existing rules and what is changing, published on 2 March 2026, if he will amend the thresholds so they are in line with the Electoral Commission guidance entitled Political party donations and loans in Great Britain, published on 21 November 2023.

The government’s position on political donation thresholds and donor permissibility is set out in legislation and in the Representation of the People Bill. The Electoral Commission will reflect any necessary changes in their guidance. In terms of unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation. The new rules will not exclude companies less than three years old. The reference in the factsheet to a three‑year period is intended as a window of time for assessing whether a company can demonstrate sufficient revenue. It does not operate as an age‑based restriction. Companies will be able to make political donations, provided they are able to demonstrate sufficient revenue and meet the other eligibility criteria set out in legislation. Where a company is majority‑owned or controlled by another company, the donating company must meet the eligibility criteria in its own right. A company that does not meet those criteria would be impermissible, regardless of whether the owning company itself is permissible.

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, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 25, which of the recommendations of the Colin Bloom’s Independent Faith Engagement Review have been (a) adopted and (b) not adopted by his department.

The Bloom Review on Faith Engagement is one of the many evidence bases that inform the work of my department, including in relation to supporting community cohesion. This includes our commitment set out in Protecting What Matters to boost Faith and Belief literacy (informed by Colin Bloom’s recommendation to do so), in addition to our ongoing commitment to regular and consistent engagement with Faith and Belief groups. The insights of Faith and Belief groups continue to play an important role in shaping policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect across our society.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2026 to Question 113112 on MHCLG: Remote Working, whether his Department holds data on workplace attendance data and numeric staff attendances in each of its regional offices.

The department does hold data on workplace and staff attendance including in regional offices.

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 his correspondence entitled Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives, dated 25 March 2026, whether an impact assessment has been made on the two measures, including assymetric effects on political parties.

Following the publication of the independent Rycroft Review on 25 March 2026, the Government wrote to political party representatives to set out the immediate steps being taken to strengthen the UK’s political finance framework to address the risk of foreign financial interference. The Government announced its intention to introduce a cap on donations from overseas electors and a moratorium on donations via cryptoassets. Further policy detail will be set out as we bring forward these policies as amendments to the Representation of the People Bill.

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, how many Parliamentary constituencies in each constituent nation of the United Kingdom (a) will and (b) will not receive Pride of Place funding.

The Pride in Place programme is providing up to £5.8 billion over 10 years to support 284 places across the UK. That covers 242 constituencies in England, 24 in Scotland and 13 in Wales. The Pride in Place Impact Fund also is providing up to £150 million to a further 95 local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, many spanning multiple constituencies. In Northern Ireland Phase 1 Pride in Place programme funding is being delivered in 2 constituencies. The Northern Ireland share of Phase 2 Pride in Place programme funding (years 25-26 to 28-29) and Pride in Place Impact Fund will be delivered as part of the Local Growth Fund across Northern Ireland.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives, of 25 March 2026, whether the cryptocurrency ban will apply to crypto donations that are off-ramped (a) by the donor or (b) by the receiving political party or regulated donee.

The Government will introduce a moratorium on the acceptance of political donations made using cryptoassets to any regulated recipient, in order to safeguard the integrity of the UK’s political finance system.This moratorium will apply to cryptoasset donations of any value, including those valued under existing donation thresholds in law of £500 (or £50 for candidates).Further details on the operation of the moratorium will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026, to Question 111684, on Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission, what is the status and timetable for publishing the public consultation on the review in the legal framework of protections for public recreational space.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 111684 on 24 February 2026.