Written questions by Akehurst.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to assess the number of people who are not able to access a social home due to pre-tenancy affordability checks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on former coalfield communities not covered by the Pride in Place programme of current government growth funding; and what consideration has been given to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s proposal for £50 million of match-funded capital investment in SME industrial units.

I recognise the excellent work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, supporting coalfield communities across the country reach their full potential. I met with the Trust recently to hear more about this work and their future ambitions.Our Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will support the most in-need communities to deliver their local priorities. The £5.8bn Pride in Place programme and the £150m Pride in Place Impact Fund will support many coalfield communities. However beyond these, every part of the country benefits from our wider Pride in Place strategy to put people in control of their neighbourhoods. We are working to improve high streets through initiatives such as High Street Rental Auctions; the Community Right to Buy, giving communities the chance to take ownership of valued buildings; and streamlining the compulsory purchase process to support regeneration.

Communities and Local Government, what plans the Ministry has to support economic growth in former coalfield communities; and what discussions he has had with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust on its proposal for £50 million of match-funded capital investment in SME industrial units.

I recognise the excellent work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, supporting coalfield communities across the country reach their full potential. I met with the Trust recently to hear more about this work and their future ambitions. Our Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will support the most in-need communities to deliver their local priorities. The £5.8bn Pride in Place programme and the £150m Pride in Place Impact Fund will support many coalfield communities. However beyond these, every part of the country benefits from our wider Pride in Place strategy to put people in control of their neighbourhoods. We are working to improve high streets through initiatives such as High Street Rental Auctions; the Community Right to Buy, giving communities the chance to take ownership of valued buildings; and streamlining the compulsory purchase process to support regeneration.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on the Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham constituency.

On 25 September the government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, which will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 of Great Britain’s most in-need neighbourhoods over the next decade. The Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham was selected as one of the areas to receive long-term funding and support from the programme. This investment will help build a stronger community in Stanley South, create a thriving local place, and empower residents to take back control of their neighbourhood. Funding will support a locally led Pride in Place plan shaped around local priorities, with the community represented through a dedicated Neighbourhood Board to ensure that investment reflects local needs and ambitions.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department have made of the levels of furniture poverty in North Durham; and what assessment he has made of the potential role of furnished tenancies in tackling such poverty.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84054 on 3 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to mandate that at least 10% of social homes be let as furnished; and if his Department will make an assessment of the feasibility of such a policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84054 on 3 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to make provision for a portion 1.5 million homes planned to be built over the course of the Parliament to be let as furnished.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84054 on 3 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing mission critical neighbourhoods, as defined by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, on the effectiveness of the Government's policies on tackling (a) deprivation and (b) other issues.

This Government has recently announced the Plan for Neighbourhoods, a £1.5 billion programme to invest in 75 areas over the next decade, offering a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of places that have been left behind. This plan will help to tackle deprivation at the root cause, creating neighbourhoods where people can thrive, communities are stronger, and people have control over the things that matter to them. In each of these areas, we will help set up a Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, local businesses, and grassroots campaigners to draw up a new vision for their neighbourhood. I welcome the launch of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhood’s interim report and look forward to seeing, their insights on how we can build on this agenda to support the most in need neighbourhoods.

Communities and Local Government, when she expects to receive the final report of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods.

This Government has recently announced the Plan for Neighbourhoods, a £1.5 billion programme to invest in 75 areas over the next decade, offering a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of places that have been left behind. This plan will help to tackle deprivation at the root cause, creating neighbourhoods where people can thrive, communities are stronger, and people have control over the things that matter to them. In each of these areas, we will help set up a Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, local businesses, and grassroots campaigners to draw up a new vision for their neighbourhood. I welcome the launch of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhood’s interim report and look forward to seeing, their insights on how we can build on this agenda to support the most in need neighbourhoods.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to renew postal vote applications every three years.

I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 21147 on 9 January 2025.The Government has no plans to remove either requirement.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to revert the voting system for (a) mayoral and (b) Police and Crime Commissioner elections to the supplementary vote system.

With regards to Mayoral elections, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20691 on 19 December 2024.The Government also has no plans at this time to change the voting system for Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to present voter ID at polling stations.

As our manifesto made clear, the government will address the inconsistencies in the voter identification policy so that all legitimate electors have the opportunity to vote. We are continuing to assess and review the policy and if any further changes are found to be necessary or appropriate, we will bring forward proposals for them in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to provide a National Insurance number when registering for a postal vote.

I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 21147 on 9 January 2025.The Government has no plans to remove either requirement.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of trends in levels of retail and commercial units that are vacant in (a) Chester-le-Street, (b) Stanley and (c) England.

This government is committed to revitalise town centres and stimulate economic growth by addressing persistent vacancy rates in town centres like Chester-le-Street and Stanley. High Street Rental Auctions, which came into effect in December 2024, give local authorities in England the power to auction the lease of commercial high street property that has been vacant for longer than 12 months in a 24-month period.The government also plans to introduce a new ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets through the English Devolution Bill. This will allow local communities to revitalise important assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces, which can help to eliminate the impact of vacant premises.Using these powers, and working in partnership with the North East Combined Authority and Durham County Council, will help to deliver a Local Growth Plan, supporting town centres in the North East by driving inclusive economic growth.