Written questions by Lowe.

Communities and Local Government, how many people were housed through new social housing lettings in the most recent year for which data is available, broken down by (a) UK national lead tenants, (b) EU national lead tenants, and (c) non‑EU national lead tenants; and for each of these groups, how many people were housed in households of size (i) one person, (ii) two people, (iii) three people, (iv) four people, and (v) five or more people.

The number of new social housing lettings to households with UK, EU and non-EU national lead tenants in each year between 2020/21 and 2024/25 can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3e and 3ei on gov.uk here.Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and household size.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of households eligible for social housing were able to access a social home, and what proportion remained on waiting lists.

Information in respect of households on housing registers is collected as an aggregated snapshot by local authority on 31 March each year. As a result, individual households cannot be tracked, and it is not possible to calculate the proportions requested.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of households in (a) new social housing lettings and (b) receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit held (i) refugee status, (ii) humanitarian protection, (iii) indefinite leave to remain, (iv) EU settled status, (v) EU pre‑settled status, (vi) family‑route visas with recourse to public funds, and (vii) any other immigration status conferring recourse to public funds.

Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, how many households in (a) social housing lettings and (b) receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit in each of the past five years held (i) refugee status, (ii) humanitarian protection, (iii) indefinite leave to remain, (iv) EU settled status, (v) EU pre‑settled status, (vi) family‑route visas with recourse to public funds, and (vii) any other immigration status conferring recourse to public funds.

Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of new social housing lettings made to (a) UK nationals, (b) EU nationals and (c) non‑EU nationals received Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

Available social housing lettings data is not broken down by the nationality of the lead tenant and whether they are in receipt of housing-related benefits, or a lead tenant’s formal immigration status.The number of new social housing lettings allocated to households who self-report as refugees can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of social housing evictions involved households whose lead tenant was (a) a UK national, (b) an EU national, or (c) a non‑EU national.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of social housing tenants had lived in the UK for (a) under 1 year, (b) 1–3 years, (c) 3–5 years, (d) 5–10 years, and (e) more than 10 years.

My Department does not hold data on what proportion of social housing tenants have lived in the UK for any period of time.

Communities and Local Government, for each of the past five years, what proportion of households added to social housing waiting lists had newly acquired eligibility through (a) refugee status, (b) humanitarian protection, (c) settled status, or (d) other immigration statuses conferring recourse to public funds.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

Communities and Local Government, how many nights were spent in hotels by Departmental staff in financial year 2024-25 by the star rating of the hotel.

In financial year 2024-25, Corporate Travel Management (CTM) information shows 11,102 nights were spent in hotels by departmental staff. The range of hotels available for employees to book is limited by price on the specific date in line with department limits, star rating data is not captured.

Communities and Local Government, how many civil servants employed by their Department work in roles primarily focused on (a) transgender policy, (b) diversity, (c) equity and (d) inclusion; and at what annual salary cost.

The department has 5 or less roles that are primarily focused on Equality, diversity and inclusion. The combined annual salary of these roles is £135,153.

Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse was of feasibility studies conducted by their Department for projects that did not proceed in the last five years.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost to the Department.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of pub closures on community cohesion.

We recognise that pubs are an important part of the social fabric of the UK, places that are focal points of many communities, where people from different backgrounds can mix and generate a sense of belonging. That is why we are introducing Community Right to Buy so people can protect pubs that mean so much to their communities. We are also taking steps to support the viability of pubs, such as introducing legislation to ban upwards only rent reviews in commercial leases, reforming licensing rules, and committing funding to support rural pubs to diversify their services.

Communities and Local Government, if he will take legislative steps to prevent non-UK citizens from (a) voting and (b) standing in all UK elections.

The Government has no current plans to change the voting or candidacy rights of foreign nationals.British, Irish, and Commonwealth citizens are able to participate in UK Parliamentary elections subject to residency and other eligibility requirements. In the case of local elections in England and Northern Ireland, voting and candidacy rights also extend to EU citizens with retained rights and to citizens of countries with whom we have bilateral agreements. Responsibility for local elections in Scotland and Wales is devolved.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to require the Electoral Commission to collect nationality data already held by EROs in order to improve transparency and electoral integrity.

The Department does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in UK local elections. Electoral registers are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers. The Electoral Commission already has access to information about nationality that is held on electoral registers and have published this data in the past, including most recently in 2023. The government has no plans to make any changes to these matters.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy for either (a) his Department or (b) the Electoral Commission to centrally collect nationality data for registered electors.

The Department does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in UK local elections. Electoral registers are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers. The Electoral Commission already has access to information about nationality that is held on electoral registers and have published this data in the past, including most recently in 2023. The government has no plans to make any changes to these matters.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government monitors the number of postal or proxy votes issued to non-UK nationals eligible to vote in local elections.

The Department does not hold data on the number of postal or proxy votes issued to foreign nationals eligible to vote in English local elections. The Department also does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in English local elections.Electoral registers and the approval and issuing of postal and proxy votes are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers.

Communities and Local Government, whether the absence of nationality-grouped oversight forms part of the Government’s election integrity risk assessments, and if so, what assessment has been made of the risks associated with foreign-national elector cohorts.

The Government is committed to upholding and strengthening UK democracy by protecting against foreign interference, improving political transparency, adding tougher checks for donations and closing loopholes by reinforcing electoral legislation against foreign interference. MHCLG election reforms will deliver a robust and proportionate response to known risks protecting the integrity of our system and reinforcing public trust in democracy. MHCLG published an elections strategy in July 2025 detailing this.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government has considered standardising the collection of nationality-grouped data at national level to ensure consistent oversight of local-election eligibility across the UK.

The Department does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in UK local elections. Electoral registers are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers. The Electoral Commission already has access to information about nationality that is held on electoral registers and have published this data in the past, including most recently in 2023. The government has no plans to make any changes to these matters.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds aggregated data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in UK local elections, broken down by EU citizens, Irish citizens, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens.

The Department does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in UK local elections. Electoral registers are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers. The Electoral Commission already has access to information about nationality that is held on electoral registers and have published this data in the past, including most recently in 2023. The government has no plans to make any changes to these matters.

Communities and Local Government, whether nationality data held by EROs is used in any national-security screening or analysis relating to electoral interference risk.

The Department does not hold data on the number of postal or proxy votes issued to foreign nationals eligible to vote in English local elections. The Department also does not hold data on the number of foreign nationals registered to vote in English local elections.Electoral registers and the approval and issuing of postal and proxy votes are managed at a local level by Electoral Registration Officers.