Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 23864 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Photography, what the length of the fixed term loan of the Secretary of State's photographer; and whether he plans to keep such a role in post.

MHCLG does not currently employ a photographer on a part or full-time basis and has no plans to. We do not comment on individual staffing matters.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16490 on Deputy Prime Minister: Departmental Responsibilities, what the total number of staff who are employed within his Department’s Policy and Strategy Unit is; what the headcount figures are for (a) Directors, (b) Deputy Directors, (c) senior policy advisers at Grade 6/7, (d) policy advisers at HEO/SEO and (e) any other staff; and whether he has plans to change the number.

The Department’s Policy and Strategy unit sits within a wider Director-led Strategy Directorate. It is comprised of two Deputy Directors, supported by 19 senior policy advisors (at grade 6/7) and 4 policy advisors (at grade HEO/SEO). The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken to date for these central functions.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) retaining, (b) reforming and (c) removing the requirement for (i) applicants to councils and (ii) councils to place statutory notices in local newspapers.

The Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a vital role in informing local communities, and that statutory notices can play an important role in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.However, we are also aware of concerns from some sectors about the audience reach of these notices and the desire for greater digitalisation. In this context, the sector’s Public Notice Portal is a welcome innovation, taking advantage of print publishers’ growing digital audiences and providing a centralised resource for all types of statutory notice. We also welcome the Portal's current expansion to include archive and consultation functions to help public bodies and commercial entities engage with the public more effectively.DCMS is monitoring the progress of the Portal, and the effect that it has on the audience reach of statutory notices. This type of industry innovation and collaboration is integral to securing the sector’s future. It will be taken into account in our planned review of statutory notices as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place statutory notices in print local newspapers. More will be announced on the Strategy in the coming months.

With reference to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question HL9153 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date was the last communication between the Cabinet Office and Westminster City Council in relation to the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House.

Engagement with Westminster City Council (WCC) regarding Council Tax is managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The GPA last engaged with WCC regarding the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House on 29th July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 67391 on Building: Safety, whether his Department has made an estimate of the potential regulatory cost of London having different building safety standards to the rest of England.

The Department has not made a specific estimate of the potential regulatory cost of London having different building safety standards to the rest of England. Building regulations are set nationally under the Building Act 1984 and apply uniformly across England. Local authorities, including those in London, may apply additional planning or enforcement measures. Where regulatory changes are proposed, the Department undertakes an Impact Assessment in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance. These assessments consider the costs and benefits of regulatory proposals, including regional impacts where relevant, for example recognising the higher prevalence of high-rise buildings in London. To date, no Impact Assessment has been undertaken specifically to quantify the cost implications of London diverging from national building safety standards. The Department continues to work closely with the Greater London Authority and other stakeholders to ensure building safety reforms are implemented consistently and proportionately across all regions. We keep regional impacts under review as part of our ongoing engagement with the Building Safety Regulator and future updates to guidance.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) building regulations and (b) planning policy on levels of installation of air conditioning in new build homes.

Part O of the Building Regulations, which was introduced in June 2021 and came into force in June 2022, ensures new homes are designed to minimise the risk of overheating.Given the Government’s net zero commitment, our preferred means of mitigating overheating is through passive measures, which ensure little or no energy is required to manage indoor temperatures. While mechanical cooling, such as air conditioning, is effective at reducing overheating, it is not a desirable or financially efficient solution due to the energy it consumes. Widespread reliance on mechanical cooling would place additional demand on the national grid, slowing the transition to a zero-carbon system and requiring further generation capacity. There are also implications for households, as the costs associated with mechanical cooling could exacerbate fuel poverty where people are unable to afford to run cooling systems.Mechanical cooling can still be used to comply with Part O. However developers must first demonstrate that all reasonable passive measures have been implemented before adopting mechanical solutions.

What recent discussion he has had with the Mineral Products Association on landfill tax reforms.

The government consulted on proposals for reform of landfill tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. The Government recognises the significant economic value of the aggregates sector, particularly in operating quarries and providing construction materials to support the governments ambitious housebuilding and infrastructure construction targets. We have engaged with representatives of the aggregates sector, including the Mineral Products Association, to understand the impact of any tax changes, which will be carefully considered as part of the consultation process.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the Labour Infrastructure Forum.

My Department received a representation from the Labour Infrastructure Forum on 26 June regarding their recently published report on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. To date, there has been no engagement between the Department and the Labour Infrastructure Forum on this report.

Communities and Local Government, if he will use his powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 with Cambridge City Council in relation to its adoption of a 4 day week.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces. While it is not government policy to support a four-day working week in local authorities, the government will not intervene using powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 nor will it be micromanaging local authorities in relation to this working arrangement.

What estimate she has made of the level of change in business rates on local newspapers in 2025-26.

The Government does not hold data on the business rates paid by the local newspaper sector.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has provided guidance on the potential use of public funds by local authorities to (a) campaign on and (b) seek to influence Government decisions on unitary local government restructuring; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of this practice.

In coming to any decision on communications, local authorities are required by legislation to consider the Recommended Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity. Decisions should observe the principles of objectivity and cost effectiveness, as well as being even-handed and appropriate.Local authorities have been carrying out engagement to help develop local government reorganisation proposals and they are required to give due regard to the Code when doing so.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 83 of his Department's policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025, whether the code of conduct will include Islamophobia.

The Government is clear that all forms of harassment, intimidation and abuse are unacceptable and have no place in our democracy. As set out in the Restoring Trust in our Democracy strategy, we will work with the Speaker’s Conference and the Electoral Commission to develop a code of conduct for campaigning which is fit for purpose. This code will aim to reduce harassment and intimidation of all forms, improve the tone of campaigning, and promote a safer and more inclusive democratic environment.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Council Tax second homes premium on trends in levels of people changing their property status to business rate holiday lets; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of trends in levels of people seeking to meet the 140 day rule to be eligible for business rates.

It is for individual councils to decide whether to make use of the premium, taking into account all relevant local factors.There are clear criteria that a dwelling must meet before it can be assessed as a holiday let for business rates purposes. The dwelling must have been available to let for at least 140 days in the past year and actually let for at least 70 days in the past year. The government will continue to keep these criteria under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with Sheffield City Council on the proposed change to a Cabinet governance system.

I have not discussed with Sheffield City Council the measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill relating to local authority governance models. I am, of course, very happy to listen to views on all provisions within the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 183 of the publication entitled Central Government Supply Estimates 2024-25, Main Supply Estimates, published in July 2025, if he will publish the 2024-25 Outcome Delivery Plan.

The department uses Outcome Delivery Plans as a tool for internal planning and performance management. We will continue to provide transparency through existing published reports and updates to Parliament but as an internal document, we do not intend to publish the 2024-25 ODP in the same way we have not published ODPs in previous years.

Communities and Local Government, which international conferences were attended by Homes England in the 2024-25 financial year; and what the cost was of attending each conference.

Homes England attended two international conferences in the 2024-25 financial year, MIPIM and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The total cost to attend MIPIM was £25,213.91 which included flights, hotels and tickets for all attendees. The total cost to attend ULI was £319.20 which included flights and hotel.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Written Statement of 21 November 2024 entitled Leasehold and Commonhold reform, HCWS244, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such reforms on the cost of lease extensions for leases which (a) are for 80 years or more and (b) have a low ground rent.

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was published in December 2023. It can be found on gov.uk here. An addendum to the Impact Assessment, providing the government’s latest assessment of the impact of the Act’s reforms to leasehold enfranchisement, was published in April 2025. It can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 104 of his Department's annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, on Loans measured at FVTPL, what programme the £26,981,000 payment relates to.

The payment within Homes England’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 recorded under Loans measured at FVTPL relates to the Home Building Fund.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 52871 on Community Development: English Language, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing English language support to people in the UK in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial years.

The below answer refers to funding made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government only. The provisions described are in addition to what other departments may offer. Councils receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. Councils can use this funding flexibly which could include supporting guests to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. Homes for Ukraine funding allocations are published on gov.uk here. The department provided £11.5 million of funding for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. The department has also allocated £3 million in grant funding to Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs) in England to strengthen the capacity of ESOL teachers and expand community-based English language support for eligible Afghans, Ukrainians, and Hong Kong BN(O)s until March 2026. This builds on the £1 million SMP ESOL capacity grant delivered in 2023–24, which trained over 350 teachers and supported more than 2,500 resettled learners The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme, which is in its fifth year of funding, provides demand led funding to councils in England which can be accessed to cover the costs of English language courses. In 2024-25, the department allocated £4.5 million to councils. Continued funding is available in 2025-26.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 30143 on Byelaws, what legislative vehicle his Department plans to use to implement its proposals on byelaws from the English Devolution White Paper.

Byelaw reform proposals outlined in the English Devolution White Paper will be subject to consultation. The government will consider how proposals will be implemented following this.