Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,321–1,340 of 1,583 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on foreign donors from which donations including via (a) third parties and (b) corporate companies may be accepted by political parties.
The Government does not issue guidance on political finance matters. The Electoral Commission, as the independent body responsible for regulating political finance, has a statutory duty to provide guidance on donations.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 3 of the Renters’ Rights Bill Impact Assessment, published in November 2024, what discussions she has had with insurers on the conclusion that tenants wanting to own a pet will incur approximately £7 in discretionary costs annually per household.
The government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 22 November 2024, following scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Impact Assessment received a ‘green’ rating, indicating it is ‘fit for purpose’.Throughout the development of the Impact Assessment, we have used evidence from a range of sources. In relation to pets, we have drawn on information from the English Housing Survey, insurance comparison websites, a number of animal organisations and discussions with industry trade bodies. All evidence and assumption underpinning the costs and benefits are detailed in the Impact Assessment, which can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the President of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) on the Renters Rights Bill.
Officials in my department hold regular discussions with colleagues at HM Court Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and the Ministry of Justice, as well as members of the judiciary, in respect of ongoing work to ensure that the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is prepared for the introduction of the measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Renters' Rights Bill on levels of inflation in (a) the next six months and (b) the six months following the commencement of the Bill's provisions.
The government published a Renters’ Rights Bill Impact Assessment on 22 November 2024, which indicated that a landlords’ ability to increase rents is highly variable and depends on supply and demand as well as wider market conditions, including the quality of their property compared to others in the local area. The evidence also shows that landlords value good tenants – and are therefore less likely to raise rents for sitting tenants. In addition, for landlords that already provide decent homes and a prompt repair service to their tenants, the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually – only 0.2% of mean annual rents. We have set out how we are developing our monitoring and evaluation approach for the reforms in the Renters’ Rights Bill Impact Assessment. We will continue to monitor trends across the private rented sector to understand how it is responding to our reforms.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18378 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Appointments, what assessment she made of the potential impact of changing the non-executive board members on the effectiveness of that board.
It is standard practice across government for non-executive board membership to be periodically reviewed, to ensure that the expertise and advice provided is a suitable fit for performance and delivery priorities. We have full confidence in our ongoing governance arrangements and will be announcing the remaining appointments to the Board in due course.
Communities and Local Government, whether nutrient neutrality mitigation levy measures will be subject to economic viability assessments; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the additional mitigation levy measures on the amount that can be levied through (a) the Community Infrastructure Levy and (b) Section 106 agreements.
The government committed in our manifesto to unlock development affected by nutrient neutrality. Our proposals will deliver economies of scale and efficiency improvements for existing environmental obligations, streamlining the planning process and reducing costly delays and uncertainty for developers. This will result in a smoother and more efficient way for developers to discharge their existing environmental obligations, as opposed to creating new ones. The government is committed to tackling impacts at source, also reducing the cost burden on development.These proposals will be considered as part of the wider Impact Assessment as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We published a working paper and will develop the detail of how the levy will operate taking into account the responses to it.
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to publicly advertise her Department's guidance entitled Paying the right level of Council Tax: a plain English guide to Council Tax, updated 26 April 2024.
The government does not have any plans to launch a publicity campaign for this guide. The government’s plain English guide to council tax sets out how the council tax system operates and the support available in the system. This guide is freely available on gov.uk.
Communities and Local Government, whether the Mayor of London has requested a higher council tax referendum for 2025-26.
The government is currently consulting on the provisional local government finance settlement including the proposed council tax referendum principles for 2025-26. It has not received a request from the Mayor of London for additional flexibilities in the referendum principles.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 99 of the English Devolution White Paper, CP 1218, whether councils will be able to ban smoking in public places under the new byelaw powers.
The government will work with councils to determine how byelaws should be made and whether byelaw making powers should be extended to Strategic Authorities, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will extend smoke-free designation to outdoor places including outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals but not to outdoor hospitality settings or wider open spaces like beaches. The proposed reforms under the Bill will be subject to a full consultation, and we want to hear the views of people from across the country on this to ensure we get it right. As drafted, the Bill does not give any additional powers to local authorities.
Communities and Local Government, which religions and faiths her Department formally recognises; and which faith days for those religions or faiths her Department formally marks.
The United Kingdom is strengthened by individuals of different faiths and of no faith, and the valuable contribution they make to our communities. The Faith Minister meets regularly with leaders and representatives of major faiths and beliefs.A large number of religious festivals take place each year and we understand the importance of these festivals to our communities. Many of the major religious festivals are marked through receptions, ministerial attendance at events or through social media channels.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 18 December 2024, if she will make it her policy to ensure that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead cannot increase council tax by 25% in 2025-26 without a council tax referendum of local residents.
The government is currently consulting on the provisional local government finance settlement for 2025-26 including the referendum principles that will be set. The ability for councils in exceptional financial circumstances to request council tax increases is not new. As with previous years the government will consider requests for bespoke referendum principles from councils seeking exceptional financial support, but this government will put taxpayers at the forefront of their consideration.The government will consider requests on a case-by-case basis and expects that any additional increases would only be agreed in exceptional circumstances. The government has been clear it will look carefully at councils’ specific circumstances, for example their existing levels of council tax relative to the average and the strength of plans to protect vulnerable people.
Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the provision of pensions funded from the public purse for (a) councillors, (b) council mayors and (c) combined authority mayors.
Currently, mayors and councillors in England are not eligible for membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), after access was removed in 2014. As the Responsible Authority for the LGPS, MHCLG keeps access to the scheme under regular review.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2024 to Question 20295 on Counter-terrorism, whether the principles of the written ministerial statement of 14 March 2024 on New Extremism Definition and Community Engagement Principles, HCWS342, remain her policy.
The Written Ministerial Statement of 14 March 2024 made by the previous Secretary of State reflects the position of the previous government at that time.
Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for the commencement of Section 111 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
In our response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation published on 12 December 2024 we made clear that we will take the steps necessary to implement build out reporting. This will involve implementing the provisions in Section 111 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 through regulations, following technical consultation. These provisions will make it a requirement for housing developers to formally notify local planning authorities before they commence development via development commencement notices.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 16491 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultants and Special Advisers and pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5420 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Pentland Communications and Sovereign Strategy, if she will list all meetings held between her Department's special advisers and representatives of (a) Sovereign Strategy and (b) Pentland Communications since 5 July 2024 that are not otherwise in scope of the transparency requirements set out in the Cabinet Office guidance entitled Special advisers’ gifts and hospitality received, and meetings with Senior Media Figures, published on 2 April 2024.
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of external meetings held by Special Advisers are only published in line with the requirements set out in guidance here.
Communities and Local Government, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate has issued on representations on planning applications subject to foreign interference.
In dealing with any application, Ministers and officials will act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions. More information can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, whether an (a) Equality Impact Assessment and (b) Environmental Principles assessment was undertaken on the decision to call-in the planning application for the Chinese Embassy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 17009 on 6 December 2024.Equality Impact Assessment or Environmental Principles Assessments are not undertaken on decisions to call-in planning applications.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14996 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs requested that the planning application be called-in.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 14996 on 27 November 2024.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14996, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether Innovate UK requested that the planning application be called-in.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 14996 on 27 November 2024.
Communities and Local Government, what the average capital grant subsidy is per unit for a social rent dwelling.
The Department delegates delivery of the Affordable Homes Programme to Homes England outside London and to the Greater London Authority (GLA) in London. The government agrees budgets and targets with both agencies to deliver the programme’s overall targets for additional homes and specific types of tenure, as well as types of home, including those built using of Modern Methods of Construction and Supported Housing.In awarding contracts under the programme Homes England and the GLA assess the need for grant on a site-by-site basis. In agreeing how much grant a project requires they will take into account the costs for building out the site with how much grant is needed to make that project viable, and the overall value for money for the programme. The most recent publication, with data reflecting grant allocations to the end of March 2023, can be found here.