Every parliamentary written question tabled by Martin Wrigley this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 160 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a formal fast-track process for Disabled Facilities Grant applications for people with progressive and terminal conditions such as motor neuron disease.
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 88803 on 10 November 2025
Communities and Local Government, whether the Government intends to ensure that no local authority sees a cash reduction in its core spending power as a result of upcoming funding changes during local government reorganisation.
As set out the local government finance policy statement and response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on Thursday 20 November, we will support local authorities, including those undergoing reorganisation or in rural areas, to manage their updated funding positions through a package of transitional arrangements. As a result of these changes, we expect the vast majority of local authorities with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement, and most other authorities will see their income increase in cash terms. Areas undergoing reorganisation will continue to benefit from this package of transitional support following reorganisation. We will not recalculate transitional support allocated to reorganised councils following reorganisation, which will further benefit these councils. Considering the efficiencies that are possible through reorganisation, we expect that areas will be able to meet any further one-off costs associated with reorganisation over time from existing budgets. We will publish multi-year local authority allocations, including funding for transition and year-on-year Core Spending Power changes, at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this month.
Communities and Local Government, what plans the Department has to provide transitional protection for rural local authorities expected to experience the largest funding reductions under the proposed local government reorganisation.
As set out the local government finance policy statement and response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on Thursday 20 November, we will support local authorities, including those undergoing reorganisation or in rural areas, to manage their updated funding positions through a package of transitional arrangements. As a result of these changes, we expect the vast majority of local authorities with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement, and most other authorities will see their income increase in cash terms. Areas undergoing reorganisation will continue to benefit from this package of transitional support following reorganisation. We will not recalculate transitional support allocated to reorganised councils following reorganisation, which will further benefit these councils. Considering the efficiencies that are possible through reorganisation, we expect that areas will be able to meet any further one-off costs associated with reorganisation over time from existing budgets. We will publish multi-year local authority allocations, including funding for transition and year-on-year Core Spending Power changes, at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this month.
Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including automatic voter registration for overseas voters in the upcoming Elections Bill.
As set out in the July 17 policy paper ‘Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections’, the Government is committed to introducing a more automated approach to electoral registration over the coming years. Before implementing any changes, we will test a range of automated approaches including more effective use of data and better join-up across public services, with the aim of improving the accuracy and completeness of the register.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the additional costs of delivering local government services in rural areas, and how these costs will be reflected in the Fair Funding Review.
The government published the Local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK and response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on Thursday 20 November, which set out the government's plans to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system. These updates will account for local circumstances, including for different ability to raise income locally from council tax, and the variation in cost of delivering services, including between rural and urban areas. As part of this, we will continue to apply Area Cost Adjustments to account for the different costs faced in delivering services, including in rural and urban areas. The Area Cost Adjustment considers differences in labour and rental costs, as well as the cost impact of longer journey times. We will also apply a remoteness adjustment to the Adult Social Care Formula. Our cost adjustment methodology has been subject to a technical peer review by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. We will publish provisional local authority allocations at the upcoming provisional multi-year Settlement in December, which will be subject to consultation and the usual Parliamentary process.
Communities and Local Government, whether the Department plans to review the Area Cost Adjustment.
The government published the Local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK and response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on Thursday 20 November, which set out the government's plans to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system. These updates will account for local circumstances, including for different ability to raise income locally from council tax, and the variation in cost of delivering services, including between rural and urban areas. As part of this, we will continue to apply Area Cost Adjustments to account for the different costs faced in delivering services, including in rural and urban areas. The Area Cost Adjustment considers differences in labour and rental costs, as well as the cost impact of longer journey times. We will also apply a remoteness adjustment to the Adult Social Care Formula. Our cost adjustment methodology has been subject to a technical peer review by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. We will publish provisional local authority allocations at the upcoming provisional multi-year Settlement in December, which will be subject to consultation and the usual Parliamentary process.
Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to make public toilet provision a statutory duty for local authorities.
Government does not propose to introduce a statutory duty at this time. We recognise the importance of toilet provision and have taken steps to support local leaders. At the 2025 Spending Review, we committed over £5 billion in new grant funding over the next three years for essential local services such as toilets. In addition, we continue to provide 100% mandatory business rates relief for separately assessed public toilets.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant of the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 58761; how will the government support unparished areas in Devon like a) Exeter and b) Torbay in the Local Government Re-organisation process.
All two tier authorities and their neighbouring unitaries must have regard to the statutory guidance on local government reorganisation. Criterion six states that new unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment.We understand communities should have their say on the future of local government in their area and we have been clear on the importance of councils engaging with local residents and organisations as they develop their proposals.The power to create and restructure town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities, which can review and make changes to local governance arrangements through Community Governance Reviews. In doing so, they are expected to take the views of local people into account, and they should also consider the financial and administrative requirements.Following the submission of proposals for unitary local government in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay on 28 November, it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute. Responses from residents, town and parish councillors and local businesses to that consultation will be welcome.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45236 on Parking: Private Sector, what meetings he has had with private parking companies between June and October 2025.
The Secretary of State has had no meetings with private parking companies during the period of June to October 2025. On 9th June, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Alex Norris MP chaired a round table meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views and proposals for the government’s Code of Practice. As part of the government’s work to introduce this new Code of Practice and raise standards across the private parking industry, my officials have regular monthly meetings with both the two parking trade associations and with motorist representatives. In addition to these regular sessions, officials have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48653 on Parking: Private Sector, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of local councils transferring their parking facilities to private parking companies on a) council finances and b) people parking there.
Local authorities are responsible for their own parking arrangements, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. As such, my department has not conducted an assessment of these potential impacts. Authorities that outsource any area of parking enforcement to private companies should ensure that the contractor fulfils all the requirements set down for the authority itself. We do, however, recognise the concerns many people have with private parking companies. That is why we are working on implementing the new Private Parking Code of Practice. This initiative aims to address these concerns and ensure fairer and more transparent practices within the private parking sector.
Communities and Local Government, when the brownfield land release fund will be made available to councils.
The Brownfield Land Release Fund Round 2, Year 4, will be made available to local authorities before the end of 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of private parking scams.
This government is taking action to protect motorists. The Department for Business and Trade provides annual funding to Citizens Advice to deliver general consumer information, education and to raise awareness. This includes the Annual Scams Awareness campaign which Citizens Advice run on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership. The October 2024 campaign was focused on financial fraud, including Parking QR code scams. Further to this, in accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently outlined its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators. This code will drive up standards across the private parking industry and protect motorists.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle homelessness in Newton Abbot constituency.
The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of over £1 billion in 2025/26. Funding allocations are published on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making the qualification of Certificate in Local Council Administration (a) mandatory and (b) included in training in the first year of employment for town and parish clerks.
Town and parish council clerks play a crucial role in enabling councils to effectively serve and represent their communities. There are currently no plans to make the Certificate in Local Council Administration mandatory for town and parish council clerks, as this would place an undue burden on the sector. Town and parish councils operate independently of central government and are best placed to understand their staff’s development needs.
Communities and Local Government, if he will publish a consultation on (a) reducing and (b) abolishing the 10% commission charge on the sale of park homes.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a 10% commission charge on the sale of park homes on park home owners.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot dated 24 July 2025.
The former minister responded to the hon. Member’s enquiry via correspondence on 29 August. I have sent a copy of the response to his office for reference.
Communities and Local Government, what contracts their Department has with Palantir.
Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service.
Communities and Local Government, what what steps she is taking to help ensure consistency in standards of (a) ethics, (b) training and (c) reporting in (i) parish, (ii) town and (iii) district councils.
The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.
Communities and Local Government, what statutory powers are available to local standards committees to investigate and sanction councillors for breaches of the Nolan Principles.
The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.