Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kemi Badenoch this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 232 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to respond to the correspondence from the Rt Hon. Member for North West Essex of 13 July 2024 on Parliamentary boundaries.
A response to the Rt Hon Member was issued by email on 29 August 2024.
Communities and Local Government, whether (a) she and (b) her special advisers have held discussions with representatives of (i) Sovereign Strategy and (ii) Pentland Communications since the general election.
Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on Gov.uk.
Communities and Local Government, how many meetings Ministers in her Department have had with (a) Labour, (b) Liberal Democrat and (c) Conservative councillors since the general election.
Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on Gov.uk.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of current building regulations on the feasibility of high density, new build, terraced housing in urban areas.
Building Regulations set out the standards to which new homes must be built. They do not prescribe density or form of housing.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 2 August 2023 to Question 1758 on Social Rented Housing, what assessment she made of the potential merits of implementing the proposed changes on requiring a (a) local and (b) UK connection for social housing.
The Government published a response to the consultation on reforms to social housing allocations on 2 September. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforms-to-social-housing-allocations/outcome/government-response-to-the-consultation-on-changes-to-social-housing-allocation-tests
Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to make the reuse and recycling of materials a material consideration in the granting of planning permission for a replacement building; and what her policy is on local authorities adopting such regulatory requirements.
The National Planning Policy for Waste (NPPW), which is a material consideration in planning decisions, already includes policies on the reuse and recycling of materials when considering development proposals.Paragraph 8 sets out that when determining planning applications for non-waste development, local planning authorities should, to the extent appropriate to their responsibilities, ensure that the handling of waste arising from the construction and operation of development maximises reuse and recovery opportunities, and minimises off-site disposal.The planning practice guidance for waste include further advice on this matter.In addition, chapter 17 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) outlines further policy to support the consideration and use of recycled materials.
Communities and Local Government, if she will commence the street votes programme through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The Government is still reviewing its policy inheritance from the last Government, including in relation to street votes.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 2 August 2023 to Question 1758, on Social Rented Housing, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of restricting access to social housing for people connected with (a) terrorism and (b) criminality.
The Government published a response to the consultation on reforms to social housing allocations on 2 September. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforms-to-social-housing-allocations/outcome/government-response-to-the-consultation-on-changes-to-social-housing-allocation-tests
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to promote integration, in the context of the public disorder in August 2024.
The Government and justice system have taken decisive steps to address the disgraceful violent disorder that was seen in a number of towns and cities in August and we have now seen 1,280 people arrested and over 570 appearances in court which has provided a strong deterrent and demonstrated our determination to keep people safe and restore order.The Government is determined that we now support the recovery of the towns and cities affected, and also invest in community cohesion. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading cross-Government efforts to help places recover – working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues. Alongside this the Home Secretary has ordered a rapid review of extremism to ensure the strongest possible response to ideologies that erode community cohesion and our democracy.
Communities and Local Government, what the (a) remit and (b) responsibilities are of her Policy and Strategy Unit.
The Deputy Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Unit helps to ensure her key priorities are delivered across both her remit as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Deputy Prime Minister.The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken for these central functions under the previous administration, and the policy and strategy unit performs a similar role to equivalent units established under previous administrations.There are clear rules governing recruitment and appointment of civil service roles which are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. We do not comment on individual staffing matters.
Communities and Local Government, which of her Department's closed consultations have not received a formal Government response.
No consultations issued by this department since the new government was formed have yet closed. We are committed to responding in a timely manner to all consultations, as a mark of respect to those who take the time to contribute to the development of policy in this way.
Communities and Local Government, what the status is of the (a) Suffolk and (b) Norfolk devolution deal; and what type of local elections will take place in those local authorities in May 2025.
English devolution underpins this government’s national mission to deliver economic growth for everyone, everywhere, raising living standards across the UK. We are determined to push power out of Whitehall and into the hands of local people who have skin in the game. Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council agreed outline devolution deals with the previous government, which were put on hold over the general election. My department is reviewing existing programmes of work, including the Norfolk and Suffolk devolution deals, and will work closely with local stakeholders.
Communities and Local Government, how much was spent on (a) communications, (b) stationery and business cards, (c) IT and websites and (d) new signage when her Department changed its name to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by each item of spend; and whether her Department made an assessment of the potential merits of re-using previous MHCLG signage and materials.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer give to Question UIN 1329 on 31 July 2024.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 30 July 2024 entitled Building the homes we need, HCWS48, what the evidential basis is for the assessment that large areas of the Green Belt have little ecological value.
The latest official Land Use statistics are available at gov.uk here. As these set out, 6.8% of the Green Belt is already developed land. This includes 24,400ha of land which is hardstanding (usually car parks, paved areas, tarmac, or other similar construct). Less than 13% of land in the Green Belt is subject to an environmental designation or other protected area.In planning terms, the Green Belt serves a number of specific purposes, but the fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. The Green Belt is not an environmental designation.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to bring forward secondary legislation on street naming under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people to vote on changes to the name of their street.
Section 81 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 replaced the previously inconsistent arrangements for the renaming of streets. It enables local authorities to make changes to street names if they determine they command ‘sufficient local support’ and sets an expectation of local engagement prior to any change. The Government intends to monitor the operation of these arrangements with a view to assessing the case for secondary legislation.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to page eight of HM Treasury's technical note entitled Applying VAT to Private School Fees and Removing the Business Rates Charitable Rates Relief for Private Schools, what provisions will be included in the Local Government Finance Bill.
The business rates policy change will be legislated for through a Local Government Finance Bill led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will be introduced following the Budget and is intended to take effect from April 2025, subject to Parliamentary process. As set out in the technical note, the VAT policy change will be legislated for in the Finance Bill, which will be introduced following the Budget.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release on new towns, published on 31 July 2024, at what time the press release was issued by her Department under embargo to the media; and for what reason the announcement was made online and not to Parliament.
It has always been the Government’s intention to provide an update to the House on the New Towns Taskforce. However, the House was not sitting on 31 July. We will provide an update in the usual manner in due course.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled, Retained Right to Buy receipts and their use for replacement supply, updated on 30 July 2024, if she will make a forecast of the total number of new build affordable houses set to be built during this Parliament.
The Government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We will update Parliament on our progress.
Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on promoting the use of Local Development Orders by local planning authorities.
Local development orders are an important tool to enable local planning authorities to proactively grant planning permission for specific developments or classes of development.The National Planning Policy Framework encourages local planning authorities to use local development orders for particular areas or categories of development where the impacts would be acceptable, and in particular where this development would promote economic, social or environmental gains for the area.The Planning Advisory Service has also published best practice guidance on the use of local development orders and we encourage local planning authorities to take advantage of this guidance.
Communities and Local Government, which legislative provisions from the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 have been commenced; which provisions have not been commenced; and whether she plans to commence the remaining provisions.
Following Royal Assent of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act in October 2023, a small number of provisions were commenced by the previous Government, for example relating to pavement licensing. Since then, we have made clear in our recent consultation on national planning policy that we do not intend to take forward provisions that would cut across our commitments to streamlining the planning process and unlocking development, such as the Infrastructure Levy.We do, however, intend to implement a new Local Plan system; move to a universal strategic planning system; reform the compulsory purchase process and compensation rules; and replace authority-wide design codes with detailed codes for growth/priority areas. We are actively deciding how to implement these provisions, as well as which other provisions best support our growth objectives, and will provide updates in the coming months.