Written questions by Fortune.

Communities and Local Government, how much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 106871 on 28 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, when his Department will make a decision on the funding of the ACM cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley.

MHCLG funded the cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley, including work required to remove the unsafe ACM, completed in 2024. Our delivery partner, the Greater London Authority, has since submitted a funding variation request related to the defects liability period. This is progressing this through the Department’s funding governance processes and a decision will be made in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether he plans to amend the Greater London Authority's powers.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, how many times the new working group sponsored jointly by her Department and the Greater London Authority has met.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, when the working group jointly sponsored by his Department and the Greater London Authority will publish its conclusions.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which global city authorities his Department plans to consider.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to protect family homes from being converted into houses in multiple occupation.

National permitted development rights allow a C3 dwellinghouse to change use to a C4 House in Multiple Occupation for up to six people sharing facilities without the need for a planning application. Larger Houses in Multiple Occupation require a planning application which the local authority will determine in-line with the local plan and in consultation with neighbours. Local authorities can remove the permitted development right for HMOs of up to 6 people to protect local amenity or wellbeing of the area by introducing an ‘Article 4’ direction.

Communities and Local Government, what his plans are for the future of Business Improvement Districts.

The Government recognises the important role Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can play in regeneration and place making. We encourage BIDs to work in partnership with their local authority to deliver growth in their local area. We made a commitment to strengthen BIDs and raise standards in the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024 and we are considering options for reform.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing simple majority voting in the London Assembly.

The London Assembly is a unique institution in the English Devolution landscape, responsible for scrutiny rather than executive decision-making. It has successfully served the people of London for the last 25 years and will continue to act as the body responsible for scrutinising the Mayor of London.The government will engage with both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly on proposals for improving accountability and scrutiny as set out in the English Devolution White Paper. However, the government has no plans to change voting arrangements in the London Assembly.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to build more family homes in London and the South East.

The government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. Through bold reform of the planning system; significant investment in land, infrastructure, and social and affordable housing; and a range of other measures, we will deliver the homes working families need across the country, including in London and the South-East.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Consultation: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026, published on 18 December 2024.

The Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities published the 2025-26 provisional local government finance settlement and launched the consultation on its proposals on GOV.UK on 18 December 2024. The consultation closed on 15 January 2025.Responses to this consultation were able to be submitted via email, letter, or the online survey conducted on MHCLG’s Citizen Space website which is linked on the 2025-26 provisional local government finance settlement GOV.UK webpage.MHCLG ensures its consultation information meets the accessibility requirements for these websites. The accessibility statements for GOV.UK is here and for Citizen Space is here. This sets out what steps have been taken to make the website as accessible as possible, including for people who rely on assistive technology.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Local audit reform: a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England, published on 18 December 2024.

The Department launched a statement of intent and consultation ‘Local audit reform: a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England’ on GOV.UK on 18 December 2024.As per the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the strategy uses accessible language to outline complex proposals and is published in both HTML and PDF formats to make it easier to read and find information. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is hosted on an accessible platform.Officials are also engaging directly with key stakeholders as part of the consultation process.Any queries on the consultation or any requests for an alternative format can be directed to the team at localaudit@communities.gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, published on 4 December 2024.

The Government published the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime via www.gov.uk and is content that it meets the expected accessibility standards to allow all interested parties to contribute their views. As prescribed in the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find.It provides alternative ways to respond to meet the range of accessibility needs; an online response option, a direct email address and a postal address for those unable to respond online. Anyone having any difficulty responding can get in touch using the contact details available to request assistance or an alternative way to respond. We also provide documents in alternative formats when these are requested by the public, including large print and braille. We have an alternative formats email address published on gov.uk which invites users to request a different format if they cannot use one of our documents (alternativeformats@communities.gov.uk).

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Consultation on introducing permitted insurance fees for landlords, freeholders and property managing agents, published on 2 December 2024.

The government published the consultation on introducing permitted insurance fees for landlords, freeholders and property managing agents via gov.uk and is content that it meets the expected accessibility standards to allow all interested parties to contribute their views.As prescribed in the government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find. The guidance in question provides alternate ways to respond to meet the range of accessibility needs, including an online response option and via direct email address. Anyone having any difficulty responding can get in touch using the contact details available to request assistance or an alternative way to respond. We also provide documents in alternative formats when these are requested by the public, including large print and braille. We have an alternative formats email address published on gov.uk which invites users to request a different format if they cannot use one of our documents (alternativeformats@communities.gov.uk).

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on ending Pan-Regional Partnership core funding.

At the Autumn Statement, the government announced its intention to end core funding for Pan-Regional Partnerships and consult on the impacts of this decision, if it were taken forward. This public consultation is now live and accessible on Gov.uk and Government will consider all responses received by the deadline of Monday 16th December.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Reforming the Right to Buy, published on 20 November 2024.

The Government published the ‘Reforming the Right to Buy’ consultation via www.gov.uk on 20 November 2024, and is content that it meets the expected accessibility standards to allow all interested parties to contribute their views. As prescribed in the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find.It provides a variety of ways to respond to meet the range of accessibility needs; an online response option, a direct email address and a postal address for those unable to respond online. Anyone having any difficultly responding can get in touch using the contact details available to request assistance or an alternative way to respond.