Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the amount of funding allocated to each local authority in the 2025-26 financial year to mitigate increases in employer National Insurance Contributions.

This information has been published in the Core Spending Power tables for the 2025/26 Final Local Government Finance Settlement, which can be found on gov.uk here: Core Spending Power table: final local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41457 on Local Government: Elections, whether the public can request data held by (a) returning officers and (b) electoral registration officers through Re-Use of Public Sector Information requests.

Regulation 3 of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 defines the public sector bodies to which the Regulations apply, and neither Returning Officers nor Electoral Registration Officers are defined as public sector bodies for these purposes. Consequently, the public are not able to request data held by either Returning Officers or Electoral Registration Officers via these Regulations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2025 to Question 43564 on Waste Disposal: Birmingham, if she will publish the minutes of the meeting with Unite.

In line with normal practice, the minutes of the meeting will not be published.

Communities and Local Government, how many hectares of land were designated as green belt in each year since 1997.

The Department publishes an annual release entitled 'Local authority green belt statistics for England', which includes information on hectares of land designated as Green Belt in England, as well as by local authority. An accompanying live table entitled 'Area since 1997' describes the hectares of land in England designated as Green Belt since 1997, and is available here. Figures for the last year will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to commission research on the potential impact of the (a) second homes and (b) higher empty homes premium on (i) house prices, (ii) housing markets, (iii) the local economy and (iv) tourism.

It is for councils to decide whether it is appropriate or effective to use the premium. The government collects data on the use of premiums and the number of empty and second homes, which is published in the government’s council taxbase statistics. However the data does not make any other assessment based on the use of the premiums.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has recused herself from discussions on the Birmingham City Council bin strike.

The Secretary of State, the department, and I have been in regular contact with Birmingham City Council since 31 March to support the Council’s efforts to clear the backlog of waste on the streets. However, any talks to settle the equal pay dispute are solely between the employer (Birmingham City Council) and trade union (Unite). The Government has rightly not been involved in these negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, how many homes are empty due to probate.

The government does not collect data on the number of properties which are empty due to probate. However, we do collect data on the number of dwellings which are exempt from council tax due to the death of the occupant. As of the latest available data, 132,883 dwellings were receiving this exemption.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to increase the delegation rate for planning applications.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation. The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

Communities and Local Government, how many dwellings were built on green belt land in each year since 1997.

The Department does not collect or publish the requested dataabsolute numbers of dwellings built on Green Belt land. The proportions of new residential addresses that were created on Green Belt land in each year from 2013-14 to 2021-22 are published here. Figures for 1989 to 2011 are published here. Figures for 2022-23 and more recent years will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, how many social sector homes are empty in England.

The number of empty social sector homes in England as at 31 March 2024 can be calculated using published statistics for vacant dwellings owned by local authorities and private registered providers of social housing. There were 33,904 vacant dwellings owned by local authorities in England on 31 March 2024 (see MHCLG Live Table 615). There were 37,231 vacant low cost rental general needs dwellings and 17,744 vacant low cost rental supported housing dwellings owned by large private registered providers of social housing (those owning at least 1,000 dwellings) in England on 31 March 2024 (see Regulator of Social Housing’s Private Registered Providers Additional Tables 3.8 and 3.10). There were 5,078 vacant low cost rental dwellings owned by small private registered providers of social housing (those owning fewer than 1,000 dwellings) in England on 31 March 2024 (see “SDR24_Small_PRP_Rents Vacancies” table of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Private Registered Providers Data Release). Therefore, there were a total of 93,957 empty social sector homes in England on 31 March 2024, including homes earmarked for sale or demolition, or awaiting or undergoing major repairs. This may include a small number of units owned by English private registered providers which are situated outside of England. Low-cost home ownership stock owned by English private registered providers are excluded.

Communities and Local Government, how much has been spent on flights by her Department since 5 July 2025.

The Department has spent no money on flights since 5 July 2025 because that date is in the future.In general terms, data on minister’s overseas travel and on senior civil servant’s business expenses is published on a quarterly basis.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41466 on Electronic Cigarettes and Smoking: Byelaws, what her policy is on requests from local authorities to try to ban (a) smoking and (b) vaping in or adjacent to licenced premises through byelaws.

The Department has not issued guidance on whether byelaws may be used to prohibit (a) smoking or (b) vaping in or around licensed premises. It is for local authorities to ensure that any byelaws they propose are appropriate, enforceable, and consistent with relevant legislation and national policy.

Communities and Local Government, what functions the Army are undertaking in Birmingham; and how long they will be assigned for.

The government has been supporting Birmingham City Council in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets, and significant progress has been made in the last fortnight. This support has included the three office-based military personnel with logistical expertise that were made available to the council to assist with planning. They have now returned to normal duties. We are grateful to our colleagues in the MoD for their support. We are working with the Council on options to address further costs arising from the industrial action

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43306 on Birmingham City Council: Finance, whether the cost for the Commissioners has been paid by Birmingham City Council.

Yes, Birmingham City Council pays the Commissioners’ fees and expenses which are published on Birmingham City Council’s website at regular three-month intervals.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41458 on Admiralty House, what the nature was of the logistical support provided by civil servants.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41458 on 3 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, how much her Department has spent on consultancy services from McKinsey since 4 July 2024.

As part of a wider suite of support arrangements MHCLG has a zero commitment call off contract with McKinsey, which started on 6 January 2025. There have been neither any commissions nor spend to date.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Biggest building boom in a generation through planning reforms, published on 11 March 2025, what steps she plans to take to help ensure that proposed requirements for Environmental Delivery Plans do not increase the cost of developments.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 39021 on 18 March 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether (a) amended and (b) new planning practice guidance requires a (i) public sector equality duty and (ii) environmental principles assessment.

The Secretary of State keeps her duties under the Environment Act 2021 and Equality Act 2010 under consideration regarding any guidance updates. Relevant assessments are undertaken as required.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 41460 on MHCLG: Equality, what was included within the Inclusion Allies training.

Expenditure of £4,184 was approved by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 29 October 2024 in line with Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance. This training equipped 26 staff within the Department to provide support for marginalised or vulnerable colleagues. The training consisted of webinars, group learning, and hands-on exercises. Materials associated with this training are the intellectual property of the provider, and cannot be published by the Department for contractual reasons.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department engages with Client Earth.

The responsibility for decisions around who officials within MHCLG engage with sits with those policy teams.