Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has made to ensure that any final local government reorganisation proposals reflect the views of local residents and stakeholders.

On 5 February, the government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation. The invitation is clear on the importance of engagement in developing proposals for strong, stable unitary councils that are fit for the future. This engagement should include local residents and stakeholders, including public service providers, workforce and their representatives, Members of Parliament and businesses. Final proposals put forward should include evidence of local engagement, an explanation of the views that have been put forward and how concerns will be addressed. Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on boycotting (a) goods and services associated with and (b) companies that trade with Israel.

The UK government is committed to promoting our trade and business ties with Israel and strongly opposes boycotts. The Cabinet Office has published guidance to public authorities prohibiting procurement boycotts against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel. MHCLG has not issued separate guidance on this matter.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals under the Electronic Government Act 2000 to reduce the time taken in relation to administration relating to (a) planning applications and decisions and (b) buying and selling homes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is not intending to bring forward legislative proposals under the Electronic Government Act (2000). The Department is, however, undertaking a Digital Planning programme which aims to enable a modern and efficient planning system in England. This includes modern development management software delivering time savings relating to planning applications. Increased availability of high-quality, standardised data is essential for ensuring the smooth flow of information between systems. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act includes planning data powers and MHCLG will be introducing data standards for planning applications via secondary legislation. On 9 February, we announced action to take forward plans to digitalise the home buying and selling sector. In collaboration with HM Land Registry, we are working with local authorities to digitise property data, introduce common data standards, and enable digital identity services for the property sector. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of (a) debt and (b) liabilities held by local authorities on local government reorganisation.

On 5 February, the Government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt, which they will do in the normal course of business. Local government reorganisation does not change this.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) second homes and (b) higher empty homes premium on retirement flats which estates inherit but are unable to sell.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48979 on 7 May 2025. It is for individual councils to consider the local impact of council tax premiums and their appropriateness. The government has published guidance on the implementation of premiums and exceptions which councils are expected to consider when making their decisions.

Communities and Local Government, whether the guidance entitled Taxpayer funding of trade unions: Delivering sensible savings in local government, published in March 2013, remains extant guidance.

This government recognises the vital role that trade unions have in delivering a strong economy and improved living standards. The 2013 document was produced by a previous administration. Some of its measures were then included in the 2016 Trade Union Act, which the government is repealing through the Employment Rights Bill.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department collates information on individual workplace attendance in its offices outside London.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government collates information to support individual colleagues to meet the office attendance expectation.

Communities and Local Government, whether any civil servants in her Departmental claim both (a) diversity network and (b) trade union facility time.

No civil servants in the department are currently claiming for both a) diversity network and b) trade union facility time.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43882 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Industrial Disputes, what the dispute is between her Department and PCS on recruitment policies.

The Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS) had written to the department asking it to withdraw plans to “end location neutral recruitment”. The department has confirmed to PCS and the wider department that there are no plans to change our current approach to recruitment, as such we believe there is no reason for a dispute to exist on this issue.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on facility time processes in her Department.

As with any changes to employment legislation, the department will review the position on facility time as appropriate and in line with the Employment Rights Bill 2024 and any applicable Cabinet Office guidance. As the Impact Assessment accompanying the Employment Rights Bill highlighted, facility time provides significant benefits to employers and employees.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled Funding to support local authorities with the costs of Green Belt reviews: Successful local authorities, published on 27 February 2025, what changes have been made to the (a) allocations and (b) funding for Green Belt review since 27 February 2025.

The government has awarded 134 local authorities a share of £9.38 million of Green Belt review funding. A full list of LPAs in receipt of funding is available on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the document by the Regulatory Policy Committee entitled Status of Post Implementation Reviews, published on 24 April 2025, when her Department plans to undertake a post-implementation review of The Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) Order 2017.

We will meet the statutory requirement for a review of the Permission in Principle Order 2017.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to chapter 2 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, for what reason the strategic planning authority must consider notifying bodies which represent the interests of different racial, ethnic or national groups in the strategy area.

New section 12H(3) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as inserted by clause 47 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill sets out a range of community-based bodies and interest groups that a strategic planning authority must consider notifying about the publication of the draft strategy. The bodies listed under this provision are by no means exhaustive nor exclusive. The decision as to which bodies and groups to ultimately notify remains at the discretion of the strategic planning authority. This provision closely matches the equivalent provision in the Greater London Authority Act 1999 regarding the Mayor of London’s London Plan.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to publish declarations of interest for non-Ministerial board members on her Department's webpage entitled Our governance: Information on the MHCLG board and its sub-committees.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published an updated register of board members’ interests on Gov.uk on 07 May 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Tony Blair since 1 July 2024.

The Deputy Prime Minister joined Tony Blair for a Q&A event in December 2024 at the Tony Blair Institute. They discussed delivering the government’s ambitious agenda on Housing and Devolution.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 and (b) the document by the Equality and Human Rights Commission entitled Interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment published on 25 April 2025 on the guidance published by her Department entitled Toilet accommodation: Approved Document T, published on 1 October 2024.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are currently updating their Code of Practice to reflect the Supreme Court ruling of 16 April 2025. The Government will consider the EHRC’s updated guidance as necessary once it is published.The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have a duty under the Building Safety Act 2022 to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review in England. The BSR continually reviews the suite of Approved Documents to ensure the statutory guidance remains relevant, as well as advising government on the safety and standards of all buildings.This Government is always keen to receive feedback on the real-world application of the Building Regulations and will consider comments received, monitor stakeholder experience, and keep the new Approved Document T under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made changes to the thresholds for publishing spending data since 4 July 2024.

MHCLG made changes to its thresholds for publishing spending date in January 2025. This change bought MHCLG’s publication of spending data in line with Cabinet Office requirements and in line with the rest of government.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulatory Policy Committee's report entitled the Status of Post Implementation Reviews published on 24 April 2025, for what reason the post-implementation review of The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015 was delayed.

The government will meet the statutory requirement for a review of the Planning (Hazardous Substances Regulations) 2015.

Communities and Local Government, whether Non-Executive Board Members in her Department's interests are published bi-annually.

In line with established practice under successive administrations, the relevant interests of Non-Executive Board Members are updated and published bi-annually. This is consistent with the approach set out in previous responses (15 January 2025, Question 22321, and 22 January 2023, Question 25697). Further information is available on Non-Executive Board Member declaration of interests process - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45389 on New Towns, whether new towns will be designated where the local planning authority does not support the (a) designation or (b) proposed development.

As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.