Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18875 on Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2025 and to the corrected Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question HL3525 on Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, if she will list the reasons for the flaws in the Leasehold and Freehold Act 2024.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains a small number of specific but serious flaws which would prevent certain provisions from operating as intended and that need to be rectified via primary legislation.The Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244) outlined two flaws regarding a loophole in the valuation scheme set out in the Act, and an omission on shared ownership lease extensions.Primary legislation will also be needed to address the following flaws:Allow third parties to leases, such as resident-led management companies, to recover contributions toward their process costs in some instances. Without this change, these companies may be at risk of insolvency, which would be an unintended outcome of the reforms requiring landlords to pay their process costs;Correct an unintended constraint on landlords’ existing redevelopment break rights that applies in certain limited circumstances; andCorrect technical cross references and make consequential amendments to ensure the smooth implementation of the Act.The government will address these matters as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22048 on Housing: Energy, whether the average cost for private sector landlords who need to make improvements to their domestic properties as a result of the consultation proposal includes the new metrics for fabric performance, heating system type and smart readiness.

We are currently consulting on the Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime.The average costs shown in the Consultation Stage Impact Assessment are based on landlords meeting the existing requirements of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations. This is currently set at a minimum standard of EPC band E using the current cost and carbon metrics.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government of 22 January 2025, Official Report, Column 867, on Community Engagement Principles and Extremism Definition, if he will (a) publish the members of the steering group, (b) publish when it has met and (c) place copies of the minutes of each meeting in the Library.

This information will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22720 on Housing: Foreign Nationals, in what circumstances are (a) unaccompanied child and (b) other (i) asylum seekers and (ii) refugees allocated free housing by the Government; and in what circumstances the provision of such accommodation is provided by (A) local authorities and (B) housing associations.

Local authorities have a statutory duty under S20 of the Children Act 1989 to look after children in need in their area. This includes unaccompanied asylum seeking (UAS) children who either arrive in a local authority area or are transferred there under the mandated National Transfer Scheme (NTS). The NTS provides a mechanism for the statutory responsibility for an UAS child to be transferred from an entry local authority to another local authority in the UK for ongoing care and support. The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and subsistence support whilst their application for asylum is being considered. Individuals granted refugee status are eligible for assistance from their local authority in finding accommodation, if homeless, as well as temporary accommodation if they have a priority need. The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out the framework which local authorities must follow when carrying out their homelessness duties. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22338 on Antisemitism and Islamophobia, whether her Department uses the phrase anti-Muslim hatred; and what her Department's definition of Islamophobic activity is.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable and have no place in our communities. This government is committed to tackling such hatred in all its forms. More information will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement entitled Local Government Finance Settlement, HCWS342, published on 18 December 2024, whether she plans create the Local Audit Office as (a) an executive agency, (b) a non-departmental public body, (c) a public corporation or (d) another category of body.

The government’s local audit strategy committed to establish the Local Audit Office (LAO) to streamline and simplify the audit system and drive change.The LAO will be a statutory and independent arm’s-length body of MHCLG, adopting functions currently fragmented across the framework to bring together strategic oversight and technical expertise to identify and address challenges swiftly. The full remit and status of the LAO will be determined following consultation, which closed on 29 January.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22384 on Local Government Finance: Services, what the estimated council tax receipts are in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 within the core spending power figures for each of the rural/urban classifications.

This government is committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. Places with a significant rural population (encompassing both authorities classed as predominantly Rural, and Urban with Significant Rural) will on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase.Core Spending Power measures the core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. Core Spending Power is the government’s chosen measure of resources because it gives a consistent measure of resources available to any local authority across revenue grant funding made available through the settlement, locally retained business rates and council tax.Further information on the provisional local government finance settlement, including tables with local authority Rural/Urban classifications can be accessed via the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-table-provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026 and Key information table for local authorities: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.These tables will be updated following the final local government finance settlement.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22321 on Mo Baines, if she will publish a copy of Mo Baines’ declaration of political activity (a) submitted when she applied for the role of Lead Non-Executive Director and (b) any revised versions.

As noted in the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22321, Non-Executive Board Members’ relevant interests are updated and published bi-annually as part of an established process as set out on the following gov.uk page: Non-Executive Board Member declaration of interests process - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish guidance on (a) the liability of a new owner of a dwelling for unpaid (i) council tax, (ii) second homes premium and (iii) empty homes premium if that property has been empty prior to the purchase of the dwelling and (b) requirements a seller has to disclose any council tax liabilities when marketing a property for sale.

Where a person purchases a dwelling, they would not become liable for any outstanding council tax debt for which the previous owner is liable. The government’s guidance on the implementation of council tax premiums and exceptions set out when someone may be liable for a council tax premium. A prospective buyer may wish to make enquiries of the seller in relation to matters such as how long a dwelling has been empty as part of purchase negotiations and of the local billing authority in relation to whether a council tax premium may apply to the dwelling. However, in any case, this doesn’t not mean there would be a transfer in liability for historic council tax.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22384 on Local Government Finance: Services, if she will publish the (a) cash and (b) percentage change in central government grants for each of the rural/urban classifications.

This government is committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. Places with a significant rural population (encompassing both authorities classed as predominantly Rural, and Urban with Significant Rural) will on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase.Core Spending Power measures the core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. Core Spending Power is the government’s chosen measure of resources because it gives a consistent measure of resources available to any local authority across revenue grant funding made available through the settlement, locally retained business rates and council tax.Further information on the provisional local government finance settlement, including tables with local authority Rural/Urban classifications can be accessed via the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-table-provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026 and Key information table for local authorities: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.These tables will be updated following the final local government finance settlement.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of foreign political donations made through membership of the Scottish electoral roll.

Electoral law ensures that only those with legitimate ties to the UK can donate. This includes people of varying nationalities, who are entitled to vote at a UK election. The Scottish Government has responsibility for the franchise for elections to the Scottish Parliament and local elections.In line with our manifesto commitment, we are focused on addressing the risk of foreign interference coming from actors with no such legitimate links. Details of these proposals will be brought forward in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer by the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution of 15 January 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report, column 344, whether a majority of local residents will be needed to support the changes before reorganisation is taken forward.

It will be essential for councils to work with local partners, including MPs, to develop plans for sustainable unitary structures capable of delivering the high-quality public services that residents need and deserve. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way when developing their proposals. We will consult a range of stakeholders in areas where we receive proposals for reorganisation, as required by statute. I will write to local authorities in further detail, inviting proposals for local government reorganisation and setting out the criteria to be used to assess proposals, in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22379 on Local Government Finance: Devolution, and with reference to her Department's High Street Rental Auctions fund: prospectus, updated on 17 January 2025, for what reason the High Streets Rental Auctions fund is operating on a bidding scheme basis; and whether the fund is ringfenced.

The government has made over £1 million available to support all local authorities in England to deliver High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA), a crucial part of how we will address persistent vacancies on high streets.The non-ringfenced grant funding is designed to fund the cost of setting up a register of vacant properties and the refurbishment of vacant properties subject to a rental auction. These costs will vary depending on the nature of the property and other factors, so to ensure value for money, the government is asking local authorities to specify how much funding they require and to demonstrate their application meets certain limited criteria. For example, funding for refurbishments is limited to areas with higher vacancy rates. Provided it meets that criteria, and funding remains, it will be agreed.New Burdens funding is also available to meet the administrative costs of implementing the new powers.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local councils which plan to hold referendums on local government restructuring proposals under Section 116 of the Local Government Act 2003.

It will be essential for councils to work with local partners, including MPs, to develop plans for sustainable unitary structures capable of delivering the high-quality public services that residents need and deserve. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way when developing their proposals. We will consult a range of stakeholders in areas where we receive proposals for reorganisation, as required by statute. I will write to local authorities in further detail, inviting proposals for local government reorganisation and setting out the criteria to be used to assess proposals, in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the London Borough of Newham's proposals to set a 10% council tax referendum threshold for financial year 2025-26.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 24234 on 22 January 2024.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer by the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution of 15 January 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report, column 344, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of splitting county councils into unitary councils on social care provision.

The case for unitarisation in the English Devolution White Paper set out the opportunities available to areas for local government reorganisation. We will prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and communities above all other issues. Unitary councils bring lower and upper tier services together, creating opportunities for service transformation which can support improvements in delivery. The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. I intend to ask areas for interim plans by March 2025, and for full proposals to be submitted to government later in the year.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 15 January 2025 to the Urgent Question on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report column 344, if she will make it her policy that both district county councils in a two-tier area agree with the principle of restructuring as a condition of her agreeing to that restructuring.

The English Devolution White Paper set out our policy on local government reorganisation and our commitment to get on with delivering what areas need. We will expect all two tier areas and smaller or failing unitaries to develop proposals for reorganisation. All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation, and we expect all councils in an area to work together to develop unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Right to Buy on the number of social housing tenants who are eligible to buy their home.

A review of Right to Buy discounts was published alongside the Budget. In this review, our modelling suggests a reduction in Right to Buy sales under the new maximum cash discounts with a long run average of c. 1,700 sales annually.On 20 November we launched a consultation on wider reforms to the Right to Buy. The consultation seeks views on eligibility criteria and any policy changes brought forward following the consultation will be subject to appropriate assessment. The consultation closed on 15 January and my officials and I are carefully considering all the responses received.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the independent report entitled Independent review into legal challenges against Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, published on 28 October 2024, whether she plans to reform the judicial review system.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green on 23 January 2025 (HCWS385), which sets out the changes to judicial review being taken forward. The government’s response to the call for evidence on this matter will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22042 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultants, what firms have had their consultancy (a) work and (b) contracts discontinued since 5 July 2024; and what her Department's monetary target is for reduction in spending on consultancy fees in 2024-25.

Addressing our biggest consultancy spends, since 5 July 2024 we have: a) achieved significant reductions in expenditure ahead of re-procuring our Neighbourhood Planning contract; b) we have also chosen not to re-procure another large spending contract for the Community Ownership Fund. Concerning the future publication of the corresponding MHCLG annual consultancy spend, I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to UIN 22042 on 14 January 2025. C) In line with the Government’s overall ambition, we are targeting a 50% reduction in consulting spend by the end of financial year 2025-26, and we expect to be able to demonstrate material progress towards achieving this at the end of financial year 2024-25.