Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,281–1,300 of 2,926 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance to relevant authorities on whether the use of a hotel as asylum hostel accommodation constitutes a material change of use.
My Department has not issued any such guidance.
Communities and Local Government, what requirements local planning authorities have to undertake Green Belt reviews; and whether this includes Metropolitan Open Land.
Metropolitan Open Land is a local designation used by the Mayor of London in his London Plan.Policy relating to the designation, as well as the current extent of Metropolitan Open Land, is entirely a matter for the Mayor.The government’s approach to the Green Belt, including the circumstances in which Green Belts should be reviewed, is set out in Chapter 13 of the revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024. The Framework makes clear that local planning authorities should review their Green Belt in exceptional circumstances, including situations where an authority cannot meet its identified needs through other means.It is only in built-up areas that residential gardens are excluded from the definition of previously developed land.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 45670 on Green Belt: Planning Permission, whether she took into account (a) the fall in housing starts due to the post-2008 recession and financial crisis and (b) the redesignation in 2010 of gardens as greenfield land.
Metropolitan Open Land is a local designation used by the Mayor of London in his London Plan.Policy relating to the designation, as well as the current extent of Metropolitan Open Land, is entirely a matter for the Mayor.The government’s approach to the Green Belt, including the circumstances in which Green Belts should be reviewed, is set out in Chapter 13 of the revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024. The Framework makes clear that local planning authorities should review their Green Belt in exceptional circumstances, including situations where an authority cannot meet its identified needs through other means.It is only in built-up areas that residential gardens are excluded from the definition of previously developed land.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 45670 on Green Belt: Planning Permission, how many homes were approved on greenfield land within the Green Belt in each year since 1997-98 for which figures are held.
My Department does not hold the requested information.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 40908 on New Towns: Planning Permission, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the loss of the 1,300 homes and 30,000sqm of commercial development originally planned by the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40908 on 7 April 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what planning status Metropolitan Open Land has under the National Planning Policy Framework.
Metropolitan Open Land is a local designation used by the Mayor of London in his London Plan.Policy relating to the designation, as well as the current extent of Metropolitan Open Land, is entirely a matter for the Mayor.The government’s approach to the Green Belt, including the circumstances in which Green Belts should be reviewed, is set out in Chapter 13 of the revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024. The Framework makes clear that local planning authorities should review their Green Belt in exceptional circumstances, including situations where an authority cannot meet its identified needs through other means.It is only in built-up areas that residential gardens are excluded from the definition of previously developed land.
Communities and Local Government, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Valuation Tribunal Service has issued guidance to local billing authorities on the definition of a second home for council tax purposes.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 52861 on 23 May 2025. The government’s guidance also sets out how second homes are defined for council tax purposes.
Communities and Local Government, what data her Department holds on the amount of (a) Metropolitan Open Land and (b) Green Belt land in Greater London, broken down by (i) electoral ward and (ii) division.
Metropolitan Open Land is a local designation used by the Mayor of London in his London Plan. Policy relating to the designation, as well as the current extent of Metropolitan Open Land, is entirely a matter for the Mayor. The Department does not hold data or produce maps on the amount of Metropolitan Open Land in London. Figures for the amount of Green Belt in Greater London as at 31 March 2024 are published within the ‘Area by LA’ accompanying table here. The Department does not hold figures broken down by electoral ward or division.
Communities and Local Government, whether she intends to lay regulations to commence the substantive provisions in section 113 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 on Power to decline to determine applications in cases of earlier non-implementation etc.
On 25 May, the government launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential development, which includes proposals to implement provisions in section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the government intends bring forward the regulations to implement these measures at the earliest practical opportunity with the new build out reporting framework coming into force from 2026.
Communities and Local Government, what county flags have been flown from her Department's headquarters in Marsham Street since 4 July 2024.
No historic county flags have been flown over the Department’s headquarters in Marsham Street since 4 July 2024. The decision was taken to give English counties more prominence and status by moving from the department offices to the Houses of Parliament, where they will be seen by more people, and closer to MPs, Lords, and visitors wishing to celebrate their own specific county day. We are pleased to say that individual historic county days are now managed by the Speaker's Office, with flags flown in New Palace Yard. It is expected that the flying of flags in New Palace Yard will increase visibility and engagement, and reflects the importance the government places on historic county days. We will continue the celebration of Historic County Flag Day around the 23 July this year by the flying of all registered historic county flags and the Union flag in Parliament Square, and encourage all MPs to celebrate the rich history of our counties.
Communities and Local Government, whether the scheduled local council elections in Essex in 2026 will be (a) postponed and (b) cancelled.
There are no plans to postpone local elections in 2026. The government’s starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification.
Innovation and Technology, what work Innovate UK has undertaken in relation to (a) cyber-security and (b) cyber-physical infrastructure in the last five years.
Innovate UK have delivered a number of programmes and grants relating to cyber security and cyber-physical infrastructure over the past five years. A comprehensive list can be found below. These initiatives represent a significant investment in the cyber sector.Cyber Security InitiativesCyberASAP – Supports commercialisation of academic cyber research.Cyber Local – Builds local cyber ecosystems and skills.Digital Security by Design – Develops secure hardware/software foundations.Cyber AI Hub (Belfast) – Advances AI-driven cyber security in NI.SDTaP – Demonstrates IoT cyber security solutions.Smart Grants – Funds high-impact innovations, including cyber security. Cyber-Physical Infrastructure ProjectsDigital Twin Energy Grids – Enhances energy grid resilience via digital twins.Cyber-RIAST – Develops a cyber risk awareness tool.Grid-Enigma – Enables secure, low-cost energy data transmission.REDGE – Secures energy systems using digital twins and cyber tech.TwinEDGE – Detects intrusions via edge-based digital twins.EV Grid Cybersecurity – Secures EV charging infrastructure with digital twins.SPACES – Tests safe autonomous vehicle control systems.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's correspondence on the appointment of the Oxford Growth Commission Chair, published on 12 May 2025, whether the Chair is remunerated; and if she will require him to publish a declaration of (a) interests and (b) political activity.
I can confirm that the Chair of the newly formed Oxford Growth Commission (OGC) has been appointed as a direct ministerial appointment and will be remunerated.Direct ministerial appointments such as the Chair of the OGC are not regulated public appointments and do not fall within the remit of the Governance Code on Public Appointments. However, the usual public law principles applicable to all ministerial decision-making still apply. The Department has carried out appropriate due diligence checks and is satisfied these principles are met.
Communities and Local Government, if there will be a mayoral election for Lancashire County Combined Authority in May 2026.
We are continuing to work with Lancashire Combined County Authority to deepen their existing devolution agreement and, dependent on their ongoing governance review, we will explore a path towards mayoral devolution for the region.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a copy of the Section 106 agreement that was submitted to the planning inquiry for the proposed Chinese Embassy in London.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45663 on 29 April 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether interested parties will be able to submit written representations on the proposed Chinese Embassy to the Secretary of State after the planning inspector’s report has been finalised.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 51399 on 19 May 2025.
What discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on whether changes to minimum energy performance standards for the private rented sector will apply to fixed-term accommodation for irregular migrants procured by the Home Office.
The Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation closed on 2nd May and we are currently reviewing responses and the evidence submitted. Whether accommodation falls within scope of new standards will depend on the type of tenancy. Currently, if a property is let on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy, and is legally required to have an EPC, then it will need to meet the minimum energy efficiency standard, unless a valid exemption applies.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45683 on Waste Management: Birmingham, if he will publish the (a) advice and (b) assessments provided by the Environment Agency as part of the multi-agency response.
The Environment Agency (EA) has been a core member of the multi-agency response from the outset. This has not required the production of any risk assessments or written advice in connection with the ongoing incident. The EA is committed to the ongoing support to our partners and has confirmed support for the risk assessments and plans produced by Birmingham City Council as part of the multiagency response.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he plans to de-designate the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest to allow housebuilding previously planned for the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.
Section 28D of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides the legal framework for denotification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). If Natural England’s opinion is that an SSSI (or part of an SSSI) is no longer of special interest e.g. because of natural changes, they can denotify it. The Secretary of State has no role in the de-notification of terrestrial SSSIs. Natural England has no plans to de-notify the site. They report that all but 1 of the 12 special features of Swanscombe Peninsula are in favourable condition.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 38621 on Combined Authorities, if she will make it her departmental policy to ask for sex not gender in future consultations.
We will be guided by the revised EHRC Code of Practice when it becomes available.