Written questions by Cleverly.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the revenue test being introduced for political donations from companies, what assessment has been made of the effect on the ability of political parties with holding companies with low or no trading income, to bequest property or investment assets to other party accounting units or to the central party.

The revenue test will form part of the donor permissibility requirements for companies and limited liability partnerships under provisions included in the Representation of the People Bill. It will apply to the donating entity for the purposes of determining whether a donation is permissible. Companies that do not make sufficient revenue to fund their donation will not be eligible.

Communities and Local Government, what the Government’s working estimate is of the number of pub and live music hereditaments that will claim the pub and live music relief.

All 39,000 pubs and live music venues in England will benefit from the relief unless they are already receiving 100% business rates relief. This relief is awarded at the discretion of Local Authorities, who determine eligibility using guidance published by the Government and based on existing definitions. For the purposes of these figures the following Special Category (SCat) codes are assumed to be in scope: 014, 062, 070, 199, 226, 227, and 303. Hereditament counts by SCat are published in Table RVL_4_2 here: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2026, to Question 117886, on Election: Campaigns, whether sectarianism is being monitored by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP), led by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Cabinet Office is an enduring election security function, dedicated to coordinating a collective effort across Government to safeguard our elections against the range of threats we face.Before an election takes place, an ‘Election Cell’ is set up by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP). This brings together government departments, the police, the intelligence agencies, the Devolved Governments, and external partners to monitor and respond to any emerging issues across candidate, cyber and information security. MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit is also a core part of JESP’s Election Cell; the Community Cohesion Unit works closely during election campaigns with local partners, including the police and local councils to monitor and address issues related to cohesion. Harassment and intimidation of voters, electoral staff, candidates and campaigners, both online and in person, is totally unacceptable, whatever the driving cause, and has a profoundly detrimental impact on our democratic process. Government is also working closely with the Electoral Commission to develop an updated Code of Conduct for campaigning to set clear expectations for behaviour during election campaigns. Ahead of the updated Code of Conduct, the Electoral Commission has recently published a set of principles for campaigning respectfully and safely, which are welcomed by this Government.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets: Ministerial Envoys’ second report, published on 17 March 2026, paragraph 3.3.11, what the evidence basis is in relation to concerns of patronage in relation to (a) recruitment, (b) promotion and (c) performance management under the Mayoral administration.

Concerns regarding the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ practices, including matters relating to alleged patronage, have been raised over a number of years by a range of stakeholders. The Ministerial Envoys are undertaking a deep dive project as part of the strengthened intervention package to provide assurance in relation to these long-standing concerns.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer, of 21 November 2025, to Question 90712, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether bank cards issued in (a) Iran, (b) Pakistan and (c) China will be accepted as identification.

The Representation of the People Bill 2026 provides that only bank cards issued by UK‑regulated or authorised issuers will be accepted as voter identification. Consequently, cards issued by foreign banks that are not regulated or authorised in the UK, will not be able to be used.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026, to Question 118887, on Voting Rights, and to Question 118889, on Political Parties: Finance, whether the same residency tests will apply to the owners/directors of companies wishing to make donations.

The Representation of the People Bill makes clear the new tests that will apply in respect of political donations made by companies. The company must be majority owned or controlled by registered UK electors, or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

What discussions her Department has had with JP Morgan on business rate discounts on offices in Canary Wharf with (a) JP Morgan and (b) Tower Hamlets Council.

HM Treasury holds regular discussions with a wide range of businesses on matters relating to the economy and the tax system. As part of this regular engagement with global investors, the Chancellor and Financial Secretary to the Treasury have met JP Morgan to discuss the proposed Canary Wharf development.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer, of 21 November 2025, to Question 90712, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether cash, debit and credit cards issued by a foreign bank, not regulated or based in the United Kingdom, and based in a foreign currency, will be accepted as proof of identity.

The Representation of the People Bill 2026 provides that only bank cards issued by UK‑regulated or authorised issuers will be accepted as voter identification. Consequently, cards issued by foreign banks that are not regulated or authorised in the UK, will not be able to be used.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026, to Question 118666, on Elections: Pilot Schemes, if he will provide a relevant hyperlink for the invitation to pilot issued in August 2025.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 122112 on 27 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122203 on Local Government Pension Scheme, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of paying pensions to Local Government Pension Scheme members over the age of 55 who are made voluntarily or compulsorily redundant as a consequence of unitary local government restructuring.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116484 on 16 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 113730, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Administration of Justice, how many Information Tribunal cases relating to his Department has been determined since 4 July 2024 and if he will list the reference numbers of each case.

The Department does not routinely publish details of its Information Tribunal cases as these are listed both by the Tribunals Judiciary (here) and by The National Archives when determined (here).

Communities and Local Government, further to the Written Statement of 17 March 2026, HCWS1410, on Local Government Best Value, what assessment has been made of whether Tower Hamlets council is complying with the Local Government Publicity Code.

Local authorities are required to have regard to the Recommended Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity when making decisions about publicity. Responsibility for compliance with the Code rests with individual authorities. Where the Secretary of State considers that an authority is not complying with the Code, he has powers under section 4 of the Local Government Act 1986 to issue a direction requiring the authority to comply.Any concerns regarding compliance should in the first instance be directed to the authority concerned. If the Rt Hon Member has specific concerns about Tower Hamlets Council, he may wish to write to the Department setting out the relevant evidence.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to Question 110416, on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are any plans for HM Land Registry to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

The government has no plans to remove the HM reference in HM Land Registry’s public branding.

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, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117311 on Chinese Embassy: Construction, which public body will determine whether the Chinese Embassy complies with building regulations.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to Paragraphs 100-102 of the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here. The letter and associated Inspector’s Report must be read in their entirety.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Local Outcomes Framework of 9 February 2026, what consideration was given to having metrics on the level of local government (a) taxation and (b) fees and charges.

Metrics on local taxation, fees and charges were not included in the Local outcomes Framework, as these do not relate to outcomes - which are the focus of the Framework. The Local Outcomes Framework enables outcomes-based performance measurement against key national priorities delivered locally and driven by councils as leaders of place. Metrics within the Framework were selected from publicly available data that meets clear quality standards, following engagement with local government and other interested parties.

Communities and Local Government, what requirements there are for council meetings in England to be conducted in English.

Local democracy depends on meetings being open, transparent and accessible. Councillors and mayors, as elected representatives, are expected to communicate clearly so that local authority decisions can be understood, scrutinised and reported on by the public. The government guidance, Open and accountable local government: plain English guide, promotes the use of clear language and recommends that formal local authority meetings should not be conducted in foreign languages to facilitate public scrutiny.Qualification for local government membership is already set out in legislation. Local authorities are independent of central government and, subject to the Local Government Act 1972, are best placed to regulate their own proceedings through standing orders and to provide training for members where appropriate. The public’s ability to hold councils to account relies on decisions being taken at local level.

With reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 24, and the plans to include Religious Education in the National Curriculum, what is her definition of the sector and who will determine if there is a consensus.

In this context, the ‘sector’ refers to a broad range of relevant voices and views from faith and secular representatives. The sector-led Task and Finish Group was established independently of the government, and its membership, governance and working arrangements were matters for the Group itself.Any consensus reached would therefore be sector‑led and informed by wide engagement across faith and secular stakeholders. As previously set out, if the Group reaches consensus on a draft religious education curriculum, the government would consult on whether to add it to the national curriculum.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 120064, on Electoral Register, whether the asymmetric introduction of automatic registration include implementation and rollout by type of data-matching data.

My officials are currently working on the design of the direct registration pilots, which includes consideration of different options for the use of national and local datasets to support direct registration. Further details will be available in due course, and as previously made clear, will also be set out in secondary legislation subject to the affirmative procedure.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of increasing the weighting given to deprivation figures to funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement on council incentives to reduce welfare dependency.

The cuts of the 2010s were felt across local government, but it was deprived local authorities with weaker tax bases and greatest reliance on government funding that were most affected. This eroded the link between funding, deprivation and need, but this Local Government Finance Settlement will turn this pattern around.We know deprivation is a factor that drives the level of spending on children’s social care services, as well as for many non-social care services. Therefore, including data on deprivation within the Foundation Formula and Children and Young People’s Services Formula enhances the effectiveness of how we assess local authorities’ relative demand for services.As a result of our reforms, by 2028-29, the top 10% most deprived areas will receive 45% more funding per head than the least deprived. Local authorities have the flexibility to use funding in a way that responds to local needs, and can prioritise based on their own understanding of the needs of their local communities.