David Simmonds MP: written questions 2024
175 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Council of the Nations and RegionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024, to Question 5299, on Devolution: Local Government, whether council (a) leaders and (b) mayors were invited to attend the Council of the
Answer: The Council of the Nations and Regions on 11 October brought together the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities and County Combined Authorities in En...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15931More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has targets to reduce the number of people (a) homeless, (b) rough sleeping and (c) on social housing waiting lists.
Answer: The Government recognises that homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected. We will look at these issues carefully, including issues around hidden homelessness, to make sure we put in place services that ...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Remote WorkingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15930More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October, to Question 5413, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Remote Working, what assessment she has made of the potential imp
Answer: We remain committed to maximising the benefits of hybrid working through fostering the best of time in offices, work with partners and stakeholders, and working from home. At MHCLG we see that spending more time together in person brings benefits to the w...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7690 on Local Government: Standards, what her Department's timetable is for consultation with stakeholders.
Answer: The Government will be launching the consultation on the local government standards regime, referred to in my previous response, at the earliest opportunity.We are committed to working with local and regional government to establish partnerships built on ...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press notice entitled Thousands of new homes to be built as government unlocks brownfield sites, published on 15 October 2024, how much and what proportion
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 16497 on 5 December 2024.
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written Ministerial Statement of 28 October 2024 on Social and Affordable Housing: Next Steps, HCWS169, what methodology will be used to allocate the £47 mi
Answer: At the Budget on 30 October, the Chancellor announced £45 million for seven local authority areas for Round 2 of the Local Nutrient Mitigation fund. The allocations were awarded to authorities affected by nutrient neutrality on the basis of bids submitted...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15926More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written Ministerial Statement of 28 October 2024 on Social and Affordable Housing: Next Steps, HCWS169, whether the fund with Muse Places Limited and Pensio
Answer: The government’s investment into a joint venture with Muse Places and Pension Insurance Corporation, publicly branded as Habiko, is an equity stake into an investment vehicle – which can be classified as a financial transaction – owned equally between PIC...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: LiverpoolMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15925More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written Ministerial Statement of 28 October 2024 on Social and Affordable Housing: Next Steps, HCWS169, whether the funding at Liverpool Central Docks is (a
Answer: This scheme will be supported through a £55.8 million grant from the Brownfield Infrastructure and Land fund to Liverpool City Council.
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordTree Planting: Recreation SpacesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to local authorities on the rights householders have to plant a tree (a) within the curtilage of and (b) on a green space immediately adjacent
Answer: The department has not issued any such guidance.
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMayors: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15923More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7872 on Local Government: Elections, in which combined authority areas are mayoral elections expected to take place in (a) 2
Answer: There are two scheduled combined authority mayoral elections in 2025: the Mayor for West of England Combined Authority, which includes the local authority areas of Bristol City, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire; and the Mayor for Ca...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions and Minimum WageMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15922More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authority core funding will include funding for proposed changes to (a) employers National Insurance contributions and (b) the minimum wage.
Answer: We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services. Together with local income from council tax and locally-retained business rates, this will provide a real-terms increase in total core spending p...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions and Minimum WageMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled New burdens doctrine: guidance for government departments, updated on 29 July 2022, whether proposed changes to (a) employers
Answer: We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services. Together with local income from council tax and locally-retained business rates, this will provide a real-terms increase in total core spending p...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance CertificatesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is to consult on changes to Energy Performance Certificate methodology.
Answer: Energy Performance Certificates provide homeowners and renters with valuable information about the energy performance of their homes.However, it is now widely recognised that improvements need to be made to the EPC system to improve their accuracy and rel...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLitterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14343More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) publish a response to and (b) implement the policies set out in the consultation on statutory litter enforcement guidance that closed in April 2024.
Answer: Defra recognises the role that appropriate and proportionate enforcement can play in helping local authorities keep streets clear of litter. Defra is considering the benefits of bringing forward statutory litter enforcement guidance and any new guidance w...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance CertificatesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new RdSAP10 Energy Performance Certificate methodology on EPC ratings.
Answer: The Government recognises EPCs as crucial for informing consumers about energy costs, emissions, and supporting Net Zero goals. An updated assessment methodology, RdSAP 10, will be introduced in early 2025. Developed with the EPC industry, this update aim...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Government FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11851 on Employers' Contributions: Local Government, if she will publish a breakdown of the £1.3 billion.
Answer: We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services, of which at least £600 million is for social care. Further details will be included in the upcoming Policy Statement and Local Government Finance...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Government FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14192More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11851 on Employers' Contributions: Local Government, which grants are included in the £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2
Answer: We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services, of which at least £600 million is for social care. Further details will be included in the upcoming Policy Statement and Local Government Finance...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncil TaxMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what methodology was used to calculate the council tax requirement, excluding parish precepts, in (a) Core spending power table: final local government finance settlement 2024 to
Answer: The Government has confirmed that it will not increase council tax referendum principles above the current 3% core council tax principle and the 2% principle for the adult social care precept, in line with the OBR forecasting. This is a continuation of th...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Employers' ContributionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11851 on Employers’ Contributions: Local Government, what was the evidential basis for allocating £600 million of social car
Answer: The Autumn Statement announced at least £600 million of new grant funding for social care. This funding, alongside income from unringfenced sources including council tax, can be used to address the range of pressures facing the social care sector. Further...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing Associations: Employers' ContributionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions, as announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, on (a) the housing associatio
Answer: Restoring stability and fixing the foundations of our economy are the best things we can do to support growth. Tax rises need to play a part to fund public services and to invest in rebuilding Britain – and this includes investment in much needed new soci...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11925 on Council tax: Greater London, what are the assumed council tax requirement excluding parish precepts figures for the
Answer: The Government has confirmed that it will not increase council tax referendum principles above the current 3% core council tax principle and the 2% principle for the adult social care precept, in line with the OBR forecasting. This is a continuation of th...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: Natural GasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's policy is on gas boilers being (a) installed in new homes and (b) re-installed or replaced in existing homes.
Answer: Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. These homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of e...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14183More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the Greater London Authority precept on Band D council tax, (a) including and (b) excluding the Transport for London element, was in each year since 2016-17; and how much wa
Answer: The average Band D council tax set by the Greater London Authority over time can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662a4c28690acb1c0ba7e617/Live_Table_-_Band_D_2024-25__revised_.ods.There is no separate council...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPublic Sector Reform and Innovation FundTreasuryTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14182More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11936 on Public Sector: Finance, how local authorities will bid to receive funding from the Public Sector Reform and Innovation Fund.
Answer: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 11936 on 8 November 2024.The Public Sector Reform and Innovation Fund allocates £165 million to a range of projects in 2025-26, including support for foster care, delivering apprenticeships and pl...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates and Council Tax: ValuationTreasuryTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14181More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency's NextGen Rating (NGR) programme will include (a) business rate and (b) council tax valuations.
Answer: The Valuation Office Agency’s NextGen Rating Programme includes the upgrade of its internal operational technology for business rates valuations and the reforms legislated for in the Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023. It does not cover council tax valuations.
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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