Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department's proposed Delayed Homes Penalty will apply to unbuilt-out sites for which the (a) planning permission has expired and (b) development has not commenced.

The government’s ‘Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out’, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out initial proposals for how the Delayed Homes Penalty would operate. We look forward to receiving feedback on the consultations from hon. Members, local authorities, housebuilders and other important stakeholders before determining next steps.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to p.61, Appendix 2 of the document entitled Annex 1: Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects reform of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Impact assessment, published on 6 May 2025, for what reason the dates listed in that document for the next updates to National Policy Statements differ to those on p.25 of the Plan for Change, CP 1210, published on December 2024.

The dates the hon. Member refers to relate to different aspects of our reforms to National Policy Statements (NPSs). The ‘next summer’ date referred to in the government’s Plan for Change relates to the commitment made by the Chancellor on the 8 July last year to update relevant NPSs within the next 12 months. The government also committed itself to legislate to ensure that all NPSs are updated at least every five years. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a transitional period for older NPSs. To comply with the legislation, any NPS which is more than five years old at the time the Bill receives Royal Assent, will be required to be updated within two years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51130 on Chinese Embassy, whether the Bank of England has made representations to her Department on the potential cyber-security implications of the Chinese Embassy development.

It is not the role of the Bank of England to consider the cyber-security implications of the Chinese Embassy development. However, national security is the first duty of Government and has been HMG’s core priority throughout this process. A final decision on the application for the new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets will be made in due course by ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

Whether it is her policy that financing should not be provided for the development of green technologies relating to direct manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

The Government provides financial support for green technologies including those related to the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages. For example, £60m was provided to the Farming Innovation Programme this year, which offers R&D grant funding for innovative and green technologies across the farming, food and drink sector. It has previously funded the development of electronic weeding technology for vineyards, which helps protect the environment by reducing chemical pesticide usage.

Pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2025, to Question 51870, on Government Departments: Sanitation, whether any gender-neutral toilets have been installed on the Government estate since 4 July 2024.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) uses the terms single-sex toilet and universal toilet (in line with Building regulation Approved Document T) when referring to toilet facilities. All new Government Hubs which the GPA are developing are planned to have both single-sex and universal toilet facilities. Any projects completed since July 2024 should have both single-sex and universal toilet facilities in line with GPA guidance unless a derogation was agreed. Since July 2024, we have completed two projects:2 Ruskin Square, Croydon - has both single-sex and universal toilet facilities.22 Whitehall (Kirkland House), London - has both single-sex and universal toilet facilities. This response only relates to projects undertaken by the GPA since July 2024 and not other parts of the Government estate for which the GPA is not responsible.

Communities and Local Government, whether the proposed delayed homes penalty would apply to sites where the original applicant has gone into administration and the site (a) has and (b) has not commenced.

The government’s ‘Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out’, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out initial proposals for how the Delayed Homes Penalty would operate. We look forward to receiving feedback on the consultations from hon. Members, local authorities, housebuilders and other important stakeholders before determining next steps.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50855 on Revenue and Customs and Valuation Office Agency, how many of those (a) HMRC and (b) VOA offices will be closed as a consequence of the abolition of the VOA as a standalone agency.

HMRC and VOA are working closely together on plans to bring VOA into HMRC by April 2026 which will deliver 5 to 10% of additional savings in VOA’s total administrative costs by 2028-29. HMRC and VOA regularly review their locations planning to identify opportunities to deliver savings. VOA are already co-located with HMRC in 13 locations.

Communities and Local Government, whether the proposed Delayed Homes Penalty will apply to unbuilt housing (a) that only has outline planning permission and (b) for which the development has not commenced.

The government’s ‘Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out’, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out initial proposals for how the Delayed Homes Penalty would operate. We look forward to receiving feedback on the consultations from hon. Members, local authorities, housebuilders and other important stakeholders before determining next steps.

Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Charity Commission on the activities of Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission.

Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission is not a registered charity. No discussions have taken place with the Charity Commission on the activities of this organisation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court on the security of the telecommunications exchange CLWAP at Royal Mint Street.

In line with my previous response to UIN 29609 on 12 February 2025, the planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this quasi-judicial decision independent from the rest of Government, and from any form of external interference by any other party.The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary submitted written representations to the Planning Inspector on 14 January. That letter is clear that the Home Office has considered the breadth of national security issues associated with the proposed Embassy. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on specific matters relating to national security.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with the Fire Brigades Union since 4 July 2024.

The fire and rescue policy function transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 01 April 2025.The government is proactively engaging with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) alongside other fire and rescue sector stakeholders both at Ministerial and at official level. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth has met with the FBU on several occasions and addressed the FBU spring conference.The FBU are also members of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform (MAGFRR) which has been established under this government and has met twice. The MAGFRR brings together key fire and rescue sector leaders to discuss policy and key issues.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of additional dwellings that would be needed to provide housing for asylum seekers following the reduction in the use of hotel and hostel accommodation for that purpose; and whether her Department classifies (a) former care homes, (b) houses in multiple occupation and (c) former student communal accommodation as (i) hotel and (ii) hostel accommodation for the purposes of her target for reducing the use of such accommodation.

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders and consider a range of options to fulfil its statutory obligations, and deliver our commitment to reduce overall cost of asylum accommodation, including the use of hotels over time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51967 on Admiralty House, what was the cost of (a) removing gas appliances and (b) purchasing new electric cookers in the kitchens of the Ministerial residences.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) does not hold this information. The removal of the gas appliances and subsequent purchasing of replacement electric appliances was over 10 years ago.

Whether her Department has issued guidance in addition to the Ministerial Code on engaging with extremist organisations that are subject to a Government policy of non-engagement or proscription in a (a) personal and (b) Parliamentary capacity.

No such guidance is considered necessary. The Government's policy on these matters is clear, and is unchanged from the approach adopted under successive Governments before.

What information her Department holds on whether (a) Network Rail and (b) HS2 has issued guidance on the use of road signs near engineering works with foreign languages.

Network Rail is consistent with the Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice 2013, which states that the size shape and style of all signs must comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, and that in Wales and some areas of Scotland the signs should be bilingual.HS2 Ltd issues guidance to its contractors that signs on roads affected by HS2 Ltd works should be produced and installed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, which does not permit languages other than English to be used on traffic signs on public highways in England.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has responded to the Unite trade union request for fair council funding of 19 May 2025.

The previous government committed to improving and updating the way in which local authorities are funded through the “Fair Funding Review” - but this was not delivered. We will make good on this commitment and implement long-awaited reforms through a multi-year settlement in 2026-27. We will set this out in more detail through further consultation following the Spending Review, and welcome views across the local government sector and the public.Councils are responsible for their own financial management, and this includes ensuring that borrowing is affordable and managed sensibly. The Government has already announced that, where councils deem it necessary to undertake additional borrowing to support their financial recovery, we will not replicate the previous government’s punitive approach of making that borrowing more expensive through an additional 1% premium.

How many days each Minister in her Department has worked in (a) Departmental offices and (b) Government hubs outside London since 5 July 2024.

The Department for Transport does not hold specific information regarding how many days DfT Ministers have worked in departmental offices and government hubs outside of London since 5 July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50171 on Tony Blair, whether she has had discussions with Tony Blair on the deliverability of the 1.5 million housebuilding target.

The Deputy Prime Minister joined Tony Blair for a Q&A event in December 2024 at the Tony Blair Institute. This was an informal Q&A event which did not touch on details of government policy.

Communities and Local Government, whether she used her office in 70 Whitehall on 7 November 2024.

The DPM works across multiple locations each week, including 2 Marsham Street and 70 Whitehall. The details of ministerial routines are not shared for security reasons.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52711 on Visits Abroad: Ethiopia, what the purpose was of her visit to Ethiopia.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s role includes acting in support of the Government’s international agenda – supporting investment and international collaboration is a key focus for the Government.The Deputy Prime Minister carried out diplomatic, business and humanitarian engagements to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the region and promote ambitions for partnerships and mutual economic growth.