Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 36686, on MHCLG: Industrial Disputes, what the disputed issue is between her Department and the PCS trade union relating to that industrial action.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has declared a Trade Dispute and is balloting members on industrial action. The trade dispute includes planned closures of six offices as part of the department's location strategy, office attendance requirements and recruitment policies. Discussions with Trade Union representatives on a range of issues continue to take place.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus, published on 2 April 2025, whether groups that disagree with the Government’s new working definition on Islamophobia will be eligible to receive funding.

The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. Non-profit distributing incorporated organisations such as: companies limited by guarantee (including community interest companies), charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and work with Muslim communities. The prospectus for the fund makes clear that applicants must be aligned with government values concerning hate crime, extremism, community cohesion, and the value of inter-faith work. They must also be willing to record and monitor instances of anti-Muslim hate crime in such a way that is consistent with the government’s working definition of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia, should the government choose to adopt a definition in future Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, whether any Muslim organisations are not eligible to submit bids to the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund.

The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. Non-profit distributing incorporated organisations such as: companies limited by guarantee (including community interest companies), charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and work with Muslim communities. The prospectus for the fund makes clear that applicants must be aligned with government values concerning hate crime, extremism, community cohesion, and the value of inter-faith work. They must also be willing to record and monitor instances of anti-Muslim hate crime in such a way that is consistent with the government’s working definition of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia, should the government choose to adopt a definition in future Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of local government restructuring on the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Local government reorganisation will have impacts on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and may require the transfer of various functions, including the responsibility for administering an LGPS fund to a different authority. Member benefits are guaranteed in statue and will not be affected.

Communities and Local Government, whether council tax referendum provisions will be applied to new (a) town and (b) parish councils established in new unitary areas.

In 2025-26 the Government has not set referendum principles for town and parish councils. The Government encourages councils to be mindful of the impact on tax payers when setting precepts. Decisions taken by town and parish councils in 2025-26 will be taken into account by the Government when considering referendum principles in future years.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of equal pay claims on the financial viability of councils.

Local authorities are independent employers and responsible for complying with employment legislation, so the management of equal pay claims is primarily a matter for councils. The government does however fund the Local Government Association to run a Sector Support Programme, which includes providing support and guidance for councils on equal pay issues. As always, the Department stands ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its finances, including as a result of equal pay claims, and we will treat all discussions in confidence, with respect and determination to find a solution together.

Communities and Local Government, how much (a) capital and (b) resource funding she plans to allocate to Investment Zones in each of the next four financial years.

The allocation of Investment Zone programme funding to 2028/29 is published in the Investment Zones: technical document - GOV.UK. The amount allocated to individual Investment Zones is determined in consultation with the accountable bodies as part of the year end reporting process and planning for delivery in subsequent years. That reporting and monitoring process is also set out in the Technical Document.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to give additional powers to local authorities to tackle unauthorised traveller (a) development and (b) encampments.

The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, which can be found on Gov.uk here, sets out that local planning authorities should produce their own assessment of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan. This includes setting pitch targets for Gypsies and Travellers and plot targets for travelling showpeople, which address the likely permanent and transit site accommodation needs of Travellers in their area. Gypsy and Traveller pitches are part of the overall calculation and information submitted for the purpose of the Housing Delivery test. Non-permanent dwellings are included only if they are the resident’s main residence and council tax is paid on them. Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development.

Communities and Local Government, whether (a) authorised and (b) unauthorised traveller pitches count towards housing targets.

The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, which can be found on Gov.uk here, sets out that local planning authorities should produce their own assessment of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan. This includes setting pitch targets for Gypsies and Travellers and plot targets for travelling showpeople, which address the likely permanent and transit site accommodation needs of Travellers in their area. Gypsy and Traveller pitches are part of the overall calculation and information submitted for the purpose of the Housing Delivery test. Non-permanent dwellings are included only if they are the resident’s main residence and council tax is paid on them. Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 40195 on Levelling Up Fund, how much has been allocated in (a) capital and (b) resource funding to the Levelling Up Fund for 2025-26; and whether those planned allocations have changed since 4 July 2024.

Departmental budgets for 2025-26 will not be formally confirmed until the Main Estimate has been approved by Parliament.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 39802 on Regulator of Social Housing: Translation Services, whether her Department has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of translation into foreign languages by local authorities.

My Department has not made an estimate of the costs in question. It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to use the resources available to them.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £500, February 2025, published on 31 March 2025, which Ministers used the ministerial private car service provided by Little's Chauffeur Drive; where this service was provided; and whether her Department considered using the Government Car Service.

This service was provided for the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth during a visit across multiple locations in Scotland. Following consultation with the Government Car Service, this service was the cheapest available option.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has produced guidance on the inclusion of local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-use of Public Sector Information.

The Electoral Commisson has not produced guidance on the inclusion of local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-Use of Public Sector Information.The Electoral Commission produces guidance on the roles and responsibilities of Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers in carrying out the statutory functions to deliver well-run electoral services.The Information Commissioner's Office is responsible for enforcing data protection legislation and has produced guidance for publice sector bodies covered by the Re-Use Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (RPSI)

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 38367 on Fast Food: Planning Permission, what rulings the Planning Inspectorate has made on the working definition of a fast food outlet.

The Planning Inspectorate has not made any rulings on the working definition of a fast food outlet.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of providing additional funding to Internal Drainage Boards.

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) play a crucial role in managing water levels and flood risk. MHCLG recognises the continued increases in special levies which local authorities are having to pay over the past few years. This is why the government announced, as part of the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board levies. This follows the £3 million grant awarded in the previous two years. Allocations for the 2025-26 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course. MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and is working with Defra to explore potential approaches.

Pursuant to the written statement of 4 March 2025, HCWS495, on Household Support Fund, what estimate she has made of the number of local authorities that are using the fund to provide support for pensioners in lieu of the reductions to Winter Fuel Allowance.

Local Authorities can use the Household Support Fund (HSF) to provide support with energy costs to households in need.Management Information on how funding has been spent in previous years, including the proportion spent on households with pensioners and the proportion spent on energy and water, can be found here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 35702 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Flags, whether his Department had previously applied for planning permission to fly that particular flag.

The bisexual flag was flown on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) internal Quad flagpole in September 2024. It was thought the flag would not be visible to the public, and so no planning permission was sought. It has subsequently been noticed that the flag may have been partially visible to the public through the FCDO's security gates if stood in the driveway.

Whether (a) local authorities, (b) state schools, (c) universities and (d) NHS Trusts subject to the business rates surcharge for properties with a rateable value over £500,000 from April 2026 onwards will receive compensation for those business rates.

We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. To deliver our manifesto pledge, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so from 2026-27 we intend to introduce a higher rate on those properties with Rateable Values of £500,000 and above. This will apply to the most valuable properties, including large distribution warehouses such as those used by online giants, so that they can help support the viability of high streets. The Spring Statement confirmed the spending envelope for phase 2 of the spending review. We will consider the full range of priorities and pressures facing departments in the round, including any impact of the higher multiplier, when setting these budgets. Final details on the large business multiplier will be set out at Budget 2025, in light of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 38374 on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the resolution of Oxford City Council of 24 March 2025 to boycott and divest from Israel on community cohesion and integration in Oxfordshire.

The Government has consistently opposed both the BDS Movement and calls to boycott the State of Israel by public authorities including local authorities. It is not government’s business to monitor the number of debates or motions on any matter provided councils are compliant with the law.

What Admiralty House is used for; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using that building for civil servants in his Department.

Admiralty House is a Grade I listed building, and is not an office workspace in the traditional sense. The building contains state rooms, which are used for events, and three flats, which can be allocated at the request of the Prime Minister.This is the same approach to the use of Admiralty House as taken under the previous Government.