David Simmonds MP: written questions
1010 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Councillors' InterestsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled Openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors, published on 21 March 2013, what requirements councillors have
Answer: The ‘openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors’ is clear that a councillor’s disclosable pecuniary interests must be declared to their local authority. This is in line with requirements set out in regulations under the Loca...
Answered 24 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67520More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of planning applications that have been granted by each local authority in each of the last 12 months.
Answer: The number of planning applications granted per quarter is published in the Department’s quarterly planning applications statistical release which can be found on gov.uk here.The number of planning applications granted by each local planning authority in ...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67519More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of dwellings with planning permission granted where construction has not begun in each London borough.
Answer: My Department does not collect data on the number of dwellings with planning consent that have not yet started construction. On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) inv...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: PalestiniansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66669More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with President Abbas on progress towards a two-state solution.
Answer: The UK's commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. The Prime Minister spoke to President Abbas on 29 July to condemn the suffering in Gaza, reiterate that Hamas must play no role in Gaza, and outline the UK's commitment to recognising the State of...
Answered 4 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordWater ChargesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65899More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57661 on Water Charges, what estimate he has made of the average household water bill in each year from 2025 to 2030.
Answer: The price controls set by Ofwat under Price Review 2024 came into effect on 1st April 2025. The average customer bill will increase by 36% over the next five years. These bill rises equate to around £3 additional per month on average, before inflation, ov...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65428More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58771 on Local Government: Elections, whether she has made an estimate of the number of councils which will be subject to the t
Answer: Seven councils could have their elections replaced with elections to new unitary councils in May 2026. Surrey is the only area whose ambitious timetable is such that we will need Parliamentary approval by March 2026 to allow for elections to the new unita...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLicensing Laws: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Government calls last orders on red tape choking pubs, clubs and restaurants in major boost to the British night out, published on 4
Answer: In April, the government announced that it would work with the Greater London Authority to review strategic licensing powers and explore a pilot scheme, providing the Mayor of London with new powers over strategic licensing. My officials are working close...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public and Commercial Services UnionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65425More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a response to the press release by PCS entitled PCS members at MHCLG escalate industrial action, published on 26 June 2025.
Answer: The department will not be publishing a direct response to the PCS communication published for their members. We continue to hope for a resolution and remain open to further discussions on the matters raised.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCroydon Council: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65424More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 June 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS697, what discussions her Department has had with hon. Members from Croydon on the bes
Answer: I hold regular meetings with honourable members in accordance with my Ministerial responsibilities.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAffordable HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65423More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the new affordable housing programme will include (a) bringing empty homes back into use, (b) the acquisition of existing built properties and (c) traveller pitches.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordRights of WayMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued recent guidance to local authorities on public right of access to privately-owned public spaces that are owned by (a) private companies and (b)
Answer: My Department has not issued guidance in relation to this matter.
Answered 25 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAllotments: Land UseMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65421More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether allotments are classified as (a) greenfield or (b) brownfield land for planning purposes.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework defines previously developed land (brownfield land) as land which is, or was, occupied by a permanent structure and any associated fixed surface infrastructure. However, the definition explicitly excludes land in bui...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCroydon Council: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 June 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS697, what discussions her Department has had with (a) councillors and (b) political as
Answer: All details of ministerial meetings with external bodies are published on gov.uk.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65419More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department plans to provide to local authorities to (a) house and (b) build housing for (i) asylum seekers and (ii) refugees in each financial year to 2029-30.
Answer: The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59362 on Asylum: Housing, whether local authorities have a veto on the use of specific properties for asylum accommodation.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 23 June to Question 59362.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59362 on Asylum: Housing, if she will place a copy of the template Asylum Accommodation Service Contracts in the Library.
Answer: The Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts are already published and available on Contracts Finder as follows: Wales AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder South AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support S...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her plans to remove asylum seekers from hotel accommodation extends to (a) hostels and (b) other types of communal accommodation.
Answer: The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its legal obligations, whilst delivering on this Government’s commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels by the end of this Par...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 60081 on Asylum: Housing, what her policy for housing asylum seekers in hostels which have been converted from hotels via change of use is.
Answer: The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its legal obligations, whilst delivering on this Government’s commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels by the end of this Par...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCambridgeshire Constabulary: Domestic visitsHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answers of 30 May to Question 52709 on Police: Elections and of 2 May to Question 47267 on Cambridgeshire Constabulary: Domestic Visits, what assessment she has made of the compatibili
Answer: The National Police Chiefs’ Council is independent of government, and any assessment of compliance with its guidance on any subject would be for the NPCC to make.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTravellers: Caravan SitesHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 May to Question 52625 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of unauthorised traveller encampments on operational policing, in
Answer: The judgment is being reviewed in detail. Engagement has taken place with the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: Television LicencesHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has provided (a) funding and (b) guidance to (i) private contractors and (b) local authorities for the provision of free TV licences to people seeking asylum.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question 65010.
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented MigrantsHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65274More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of small boat arrivals were (a) children, (b) babies and (c) women in the most recent period for which data is available.
Answer: The Home Office publishes statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on small boat arrivals by age group and sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK de...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMedical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of funding for the (a) Medical Research Council and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Answer: Funding levels for health and care research have recently been set as part of the 2025 Spending Review. The Department will receive £9.8 billion for research and development over the period of 2025/26 to 2029/30. This funding will support research and dev...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and (b) the National institute for Health and Care Excellence on access to innovative treatment for pati
Answer: The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with brain tumours, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. As such, officials meet regularly with the Medicines and Healthcare products ...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the national cancer plan will consider (a) astrocytoma and (b) other types of brain tumours.
Answer: The National Cancer Plan is to be published this year and will include further details on how outcomes will be improved for all cancer patients, including those with astrocytoma and other brain tumours.The plan will include further details on speeding up ...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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