Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33868 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Procurement, and with reference to the Procurement Policy Note 002: Social Value Model, published in February 2025, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of contract compliance requirements on (a) working conditions and (b) trade unions on regulatory costs to local government.

Procurement Policy Note 002: Taking account of Social Value in the award of contracts is not a mandatory policy for local government as stated within the scope of the procurement policy note. It is optional for local authorities to elect to apply this policy.

Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with Historic England on the reasons for which it did not appear at the public inquiry on the Chinese Embassy planning application.

DCMS Ministers have had no such discussions.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus, published on 4 March 2025, which of the 75 areas are (a) rural and (b) urban.

The Plan for Neighbourhoods was launched on 4 March. The 75 places across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were chosen via a selection methodology that has been published in the Plan for Neighbourhoods prospectus. Eligible places had to have a built-up area, according to the Office for National Statistics, with a population size of between 20,000 and 100,000, including places like Keighley, Spalding and Orkney. All 75 places across the UK that were originally selected to receive Long-Term Plan for Towns by the previous Conservative administration will receive the Plan for Neighbourhoods package. We are making good on those unfunded commitments, giving each of the 75 places the certainty that they will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade.

Communities and Local Government, how much (a) capital and (b) resource funding was allocated to the Community Ownership Fund in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

Under this government, we allocated over £33m in capital funding and almost £3m in resource funding to 85 projects in Round 4 Window 1 of the Community Ownership Fund (COF). This represents the largest ever window of COF to date, both in terms of funding awarded and number of projects. On 23 December 2024, we announced that COF is now closed and that there will be no further application windows. We took this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government.Monies will continue to be paid to successful projects from previous windows in line with the conditions set out in their Grant Funding Agreement (GFA).

What the population is of each local authority that has received exceptional financial support for the 2025-26 financial year.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th March is attached.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the change in business rates from the valuation of a retail, hospitality and leisure hereditament moving from a Rateable Value of £499,999 to £500,001 from April 2026.

The Valuation Office Agency are currently completing the valuation process for the 2026 business rates list. As part of the usual process, the government will announce the multipliers at the Budget, having regard to the evidence of the valuation. When the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme on (a) Russian, (b) Iranian and (c) Chinese interference in democratic processes.

Protecting the integrity and security of UK democratic processes from threats of foreign interference is a priority for the government.The Foreign influence Registration Scheme will increase transparency of foreign power influence over the core aspects of the UK’s democracy, including elections, political party proceedings, parliamentarians and decisions of the Government. Once the scheme is in force those carrying out political influencing activities at the direction of any foreign power, will need to register under the political influence tier. We have published an impact assessment on gov.uk setting out its potential impact.As I committed to in Parliament on the 4th March, the Home Office will lay regulations in Parliament as soon as possible, with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.

What information his Department holds on whether foreign political donations from outside the Republic of Ireland are channelled through Irish (a) people, (b) companies and (c) unincorporated associations to Northern Ireland.

This information is not held by the Government. The Electoral Commission verifies donations and loans to Northern Ireland parties, assesses the proof of identity of Irish citizens and verifies these with the Irish Government. Details of donations and loans received above the set thresholds for all UK registered parties are published by the Electoral Commission on their website.

With reference to the press release entitled Households near new pylons to save hundreds on energy bills, published on 10 March 2025, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of an electricity pylon being erected within 500 meters of an average house on the capital value of that house.

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices. However, landowners, businesses, and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation. The proposed bill discount scheme is not a house price compensation scheme. It aims to ensure those closest to eligible new transmission infrastructure can directly benefit from supporting the nationally critical Clean Power by 2030 mission.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Deposited Paper DEP2025-0132, dated 7 February 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of levels of English language proficiency.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues.This is a priority for the Deputy Prime Minister, who has stood up a cross-government ‘Communities & Recovery Steering Group’ to oversee this work. The integration of new arrivals and English language proficiency are both significant considerations in the development of our strategic approach to social cohesion.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to clause 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, what guidance she plans to provide on the geographical scope of Environmental Delivery Plans; and whether they could (a) cover multiple local planning authority areas, (b) mirror a local planning authority area and (c) be smaller than a local planning authority area.

Each Environmental Delivery Plan will be required to delineate the geography to which it applies. The scale of Environmental Delivery Plans will reflect the nature of the environmental impact being addressed. This could result in Environmental Delivery Plans covering wide geographies across multiple local planning authorities, as well as smaller scale Environmental Delivery Plans where appropriate.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a cross-government strategy on English language and integration.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues.This is a priority for the Deputy Prime Minister, who has stood up a cross-government ‘Communities & Recovery Steering Group’ to oversee this work. The integration of new arrivals and English language proficiency are both significant considerations in the development of our strategic approach to social cohesion.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the unit cost to developers of the Nature Restoration Fund for a new build house.

When it comes to development and the environment, we know we can do better than the status quo, which too often sees both sustainable housebuilding and nature recovery stall. Instead of environmental protections being seen as a barrier to growth, we want to unlock a win-win for the economy and for nature. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will introduce a new Nature Restoration Fund that will unlock and accelerate development while going beyond simply offsetting harm to unlock the positive impact development can have in driving nature recovery.The government's intention is that the aggregate cost to developers of the Nature Restoration Levy will not be greater than the status quo. By taking a strategic approach to nature recovery, we can leverage economies of scale and reduce the need for costly project-level assessments to ensure every pound spent helps deliver on our environmental goals.We are working with Regulatory Policy Committee to ensure that the Bill Impact Assessment and Committee’s opinion are published as soon as possible.

Communities and Local Government, whether there will be a minimum development size threshold for liability for payments to the Nature Restoration Fund; and whether self-build development will be exempt from liability.

The Nature Restoration Levy will not create a new financial burden since developers already have to meet the cost of project-specific measures arising from, for example the Habitats Regulations.  The intent of the Nature Restoration Fund is to provide for a more effective route to discharge existing obligations. Paying into an Environmental Delivery Plan will be voluntary wherever possible, allowing developers to meet the cost of project-specific measures if they wish to do so.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus published in 4 March 2025, whether she plans to continue the Long-Term Plan for Towns.

The Long-Term Plan for Towns programme was launched during the previous administration. It was an unfunded commitment for which the previous administration had no funded plan as to how that promise would be delivered.All 75 towns across the UK that were originally selected to receive Long-Term Plan for Towns funding will receive the funding under the Plan for Neighbourhoods package. We are making good on those commitments, giving each of the 75 places the certainty that they will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Green Belt, updated on 27 February 2025, whether (a) motorways, (b) A roads and (c) railway lines are classified as visual separation.

The definition of grey belt, for the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, is provided in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024. Grey belt is land in the Green Belt that is previously developed land or other land that does not make a strong contribution to the following Green Belt purposes (a) checking the sprawl of large built-up areas, (b) preventing the merging of neighbouring towns, and (d) preserving the setting and special character of historic towns. It is for individual local planning authorities to decide if land is grey belt and to determine whether and how to amend Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of plans, including neighbourhood plans where appropriate. It is also for each local planning authority to assess, as a material consideration when writing Local Plan policies or determining planning applications, what environmental impacts could occur. National planning policy and our recently published guidance on Green Belt assessment are clear that release of, or development on, Green Belt land should not fundamentally undermine the ability of the remaining Green Belt across the area of the plan from serving all five of the Green Belt purposes. The definition of grey belt, and the revised Framework more widely, were determined following extensive consultation, including with relevant public bodies. For further detail, I refer the hon. Member to the government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation which can be found on gov.uk here. Our guidance introduces new criteria to drive a more consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land, and to inform Green Belt assessments. It is for these Green Belt assessments to consider if any particular features act to preserve visual separation. Green Belt guidance is clear that assessing the contribution land makes to Green Belt purposes (a), (b) and (d) relates to large built-up areas, towns, and historic towns respectively, rather than villages. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that villages can be included in the Green Belt where it is necessary to restrict development because of the contribution the village makes to the Green Belt. If the character of the village should be protected for other reasons, other means should be used, such as conservation area or normal development management policies. The National Planning Policy Framework and the Green Belt guidance do not introduce a definition of historic town, town, or village. The responsibilities of local planning authorities to recognise and protect their historic assets, making use of built heritage and conservation expertise as necessary, remain unaltered. Local planning authorities continue to have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development.

What the population is of each local authority that has issued a Section 114 notice in the last three years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th March is attached.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Green Belt, updated on 27 February 2025, whether that guidance takes precedence over neighbourhood plans covering villages in the Green Belt.

The definition of grey belt, for the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, is provided in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024. Grey belt is land in the Green Belt that is previously developed land or other land that does not make a strong contribution to the following Green Belt purposes (a) checking the sprawl of large built-up areas, (b) preventing the merging of neighbouring towns, and (d) preserving the setting and special character of historic towns. It is for individual local planning authorities to decide if land is grey belt and to determine whether and how to amend Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of plans, including neighbourhood plans where appropriate. It is also for each local planning authority to assess, as a material consideration when writing Local Plan policies or determining planning applications, what environmental impacts could occur. National planning policy and our recently published guidance on Green Belt assessment are clear that release of, or development on, Green Belt land should not fundamentally undermine the ability of the remaining Green Belt across the area of the plan from serving all five of the Green Belt purposes. The definition of grey belt, and the revised Framework more widely, were determined following extensive consultation, including with relevant public bodies. For further detail, I refer the hon. Member to the government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation which can be found on gov.uk here. Our guidance introduces new criteria to drive a more consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land, and to inform Green Belt assessments. It is for these Green Belt assessments to consider if any particular features act to preserve visual separation. Green Belt guidance is clear that assessing the contribution land makes to Green Belt purposes (a), (b) and (d) relates to large built-up areas, towns, and historic towns respectively, rather than villages. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that villages can be included in the Green Belt where it is necessary to restrict development because of the contribution the village makes to the Green Belt. If the character of the village should be protected for other reasons, other means should be used, such as conservation area or normal development management policies. The National Planning Policy Framework and the Green Belt guidance do not introduce a definition of historic town, town, or village. The responsibilities of local planning authorities to recognise and protect their historic assets, making use of built heritage and conservation expertise as necessary, remain unaltered. Local planning authorities continue to 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, with reference to the guidance entitled UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus, updated on 4 March 2025, whether applications for funding will be competitive.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been extended for 2025-26 at £900 million. All areas of the UK will again receive an allocation from the Fund via a funding formula rather than a competition.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press notice entitled Major overhaul of planning committees to get Britain building, published on 9 December 2024, what threshold will be applied at which mandatory delegation to officers would be required.

The government intends to consult on the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.