Every parliamentary written question tabled by Joe Morris this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 25 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation in the Hexham constituency.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 86837 on 10 November 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation in the North East.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 86837 on 10 November 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation in Northumberland.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 86837 on 10 November 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the demand for housing in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland and (c) Newcastle.
The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 includes a new Standard Method for assessing housing needs that is aligned to our Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new safe and decent homes in England by the end of this Parliament. Indicative local housing need figures both for local authorities and regions under the revised standard method can be found on gov.uk here. Indicative figures have not been provided for Hexham constituency, as it falls under Northumberland County Council. The standard method is used by local authorities to inform the preparation of their local plans. Once local housing need has been assessed, authorities should then make an assessment of the number of new homes that can be provided in their area. This should be justified by evidence on land availability, constraints on development, such as National Landscapes and areas at risk of flooding, and any other relevant matters. The approach taken is then tested by the Planning Inspector during the examination of the Local Plan.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Community Ownership Fund on rural areas.
Looking ahead the Department commissioned an evaluation of the Community Ownership Fund in May 2023 to measure the social and economic impacts of different kinds of asset ownership, and will conclude in March 2026. Interim findings will be published in the coming months highlighting the impact of the funding. A final report will be published in Spring 2026.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Community Ownership Fund on Hexham constituency.
Looking ahead the Department commissioned an evaluation of the Community Ownership Fund in May 2023 to measure the social and economic impacts of different kinds of asset ownership, and will conclude in March 2026. Interim findings will be published in the coming months highlighting the impact of the funding. A final report will be published in Spring 2026.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Community Ownership Fund on the North East.
Looking ahead the Department commissioned an evaluation of the Community Ownership Fund in May 2023 to measure the social and economic impacts of different kinds of asset ownership, and will conclude in March 2026. Interim findings will be published in the coming months highlighting the impact of the funding. A final report will be published in Spring 2026.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Plan for Neighbourhoods on communities in the North East.
On 25 September the Government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, which will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 of Great’s Britain’s most in-need neighbourhoods over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the existing 75 Phase 1 areas that were announced in March, previously the Plan for Neighbourhoods.10 areas in the North East were selected in Phase 1 of the Pride in Place Programme, including areas in Darlington, Hartlepool and Sunderland. A further 10 neighbourhoods across the region were announced as part of Phase 2, extending long-term investment to communities in places such as County Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside. In addition, 6 local authorities across the region, including Gateshead, Middlesbrough and South Tyneside, have been awarded funding through the Pride in Place Impact Fund, with each receiving £1.5 million over two years.In total, the Government is investing up to £409 million across the North East through the Pride in Place Programme and the Pride in Place Impact Fund. This investment will help build stronger communities across the region, create thriving places, and enable residents to take back control of their neighbourhoods. Funding will support locally led Pride in Place plans shaped around local priorities, with each area guided by a Neighbourhood Board representing the local community to ensure that investment reflects local needs and ambitions. The Pride in Place Impact Fund will provide more immediate support over the next two years, helping to revitalise high streets and community spaces while visible improvements are delivered on the ground.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of the Community Recovery Fund in the North East.
MHCLG has maintained proactive engagement with stakeholders across the North East to ensure effective deployment of the Community Recovery Fund. In particular, the Department continues to work in close partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, and Sunderland City Council, the three areas awarded funding, to ensure alignment with local priorities and the delivery of community - led initiatives. In the North East, the Community Recovery Fund has been strategically utilised at the local authority level to support the recovery and resilience of affected communities. This includes investment in the repair of physical infrastructure, targeted support for vulnerable groups and local businesses, and initiatives designed to foster social cohesion and rebuild trust within communities.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help support community cohesion in Hexham constituency.
MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit works to support and promote cohesion across England, through working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments. The Government's new £2.87m Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. As part of this, the Common Ground Award is investing capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to reform estate adoption in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, and (d) the North East.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Northumberland County Council and (b) Newcastle City Council on (i) housing targets and (ii) local planning development.
Officials from my Department met with officers from Newcastle City Council on 11 June 2025 to discuss bringing forward a new local development plan under the new plan-making system. The Chief Planner also met senior planners from Newcastle City Council and Northumberland County Council at a meeting convened by North East Combined Authority on 31 July 2025. They discussed strategic planning; planning capacity and capability; digital planning; and the National Planning Policy Framework.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that communities are consulted on planning applications in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East, and (e) England.
After a local planning authority in England has received a planning application, it must undertake a period of consultation where views on the proposed development can be expressed. The formal consultation period must last for at least 21 days, and the local planning authority will identify and consult groups including a full public consultation with neighbouring residents, community groups and statutory consultees.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East, and (e) England.
We will publish a cross-government strategy that will set out the actions needed across central and local government and the homelessness sector to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. It will put prevention at its core and set a clear vision for tackling homelessness, including both short and long-term interventions.This year (2025/26) we are investing more than £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services, a £316 million increase on the previous year. This will help prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation. We have allocated £644.17 million of funding in 2025/26 through the Homelessness Prevention Grant, helping support local authorities to deliver services to prevent and respond to homelessness. This includes an uplift of £203.8 million compared to last year. The 2025/26 Homelessness Prevention Grant allocations can be found here: Homelessness Prevention Grant allocations: 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK . The government is also providing £950 million of investment for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund – the largest investment in the fund to date - to support local authorities in England to increase the supply of good quality temporary accommodation and drive down the use of costly bed and breakfasts and hotels. This Government is also tackling the root causes of homelessness and has committed to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding for a generation.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of the 19 March 2025 to Question 38424 on Sleeping Rough: North East, whether his Department has had further discussions with relevant stakeholders on the extension of the (a) Rough Sleeping Initiative and (b) Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant in the North East.
The Government has set out our proposal for consolidating funding across all forms of homelessness, through the first multi-year settlement in a decade, in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation on gov.uk here. For 2025-26, we consolidated our main rough sleeping and single homelessness focused grants (Rough Sleeping Initiative, which includes Housing First funding, and Accommodation for Ex Offenders) into a single Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. In 2025-26, the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant will provide over £255 million in funding across England, including over £4.9 million for Local Authorities in the North East. From 2026-27, the Fair Funding Review 2.0 includes proposals to roll the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant into a consolidated Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Grant, alongside the Homelessness Prevention Grant and the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme. Funding for temporary accommodation, currently part of Homelessness Prevention Grant, is proposed to be consolidated into the Local Government Finance Settlement Revenue Support Grant.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders following the closure of the consultation on Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out.
My Department engages regularly with a range of stakeholders about our ongoing reforms to the planning system, including proposals to increase build out rates.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on derelict buildings in rural areas.
My Department does not hold data on derelict buildings. The Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding derelict buildings in rural areas
Communities and Local Government, how many buildings are classified as derelict in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.
My Department does not hold data on derelict buildings. The Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding derelict buildings in rural areas
Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on solutions for inactive landlords in the North East.
My Department has had no recent discussions with Northumberland County Council, Hexham Town Council or relevant stakeholders regarding ‘inactive’ landlords in Northumberland or the wider North East.
Communities and Local Government, whether he has had recent discussions with the local authority on inactive landlords in Northumberland.
My Department has had no recent discussions with Northumberland County Council, Hexham Town Council or relevant stakeholders regarding ‘inactive’ landlords in Northumberland or the wider North East.