David Simmonds MP: written questions
457 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Council Tax: Disposable IncomeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120052More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of above-inflation council tax increases in each year of the multi-year finance settlement on family disposable incomes.
Answer: Council tax levels are decided by local authorities. For the vast majority of councils, the government intends to maintain a core 3% referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept for each year of the multi-year settlement. Councils are required ...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: Windsor and MaidenheadMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120051More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to revise its council tax requirement estimates for Windsor and Maidenhead in the context of the revised council tax referendum threshold for 2026-27
Answer: The government annually makes assumptions of council tax levels for the next financial year as a part of its estimates of Core Spending Power. In line with previous years, council tax estimates in Core Spending Power will not be adjusted to reflect higher...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Small BusinessesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support defence SMEs.
Answer: We’re delivering on our Defence Industrial Strategy; we have created the Office for Small Business Growth; we are simplifying defence sector processes under commercial pathways. We aim to make the UK a top location for defence businesses, pledging an extr...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, 3 March 2026, para 2.38, what information his Department provided to the OBR to assist them with their forecasts on net a
Answer: OBR forecasts have no bearing on the government’s ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament which remains in place.My Department supports the OBR’s forecasting by sharing the latest dat...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, 3 March 2026, para 2.38, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the OBR forecasts on UK net additions to
Answer: OBR forecasts have no bearing on the government’s ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament which remains in place.My Department supports the OBR’s forecasting by sharing the latest dat...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSecret BallotMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119522More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to amend electoral law to introduce statutory guidance for Returning Officers to protect the secrecy of the ballot in polling stations, including st
Answer: The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing Returning Officers with guidance on the administration of elections; they provide extensive advice, including how polling staff should respond if they suspect offences are being committed, such as fami...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPolling Stations: LocationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119521More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the press release, Weekend voting and shopping centre polling stations to be trialled, on 2 March 2026, who would determine the specific locations that mobile voting s
Answer: The choice of polling station is a matter for the independent Returning Officer. The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing guidance to Returning Officers and do so on the selection of appropriate polling stations. The Electoral Commission is a...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPolling Stations: LocationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119520More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance is in place on the location of polling stations to prevent a partisan advantage for any specific candidate or political party when determining the location.
Answer: The choice of polling station is a matter for the independent Returning Officer. The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing guidance to Returning Officers and do so on the selection of appropriate polling stations. The Electoral Commission is a...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Freedom of InformationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119519More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will place the substantive Environment Principal Assessment documents disclosed under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 – EIR2026/00658 response of 3 March 202
Answer: I will deposit a copy of the relevant documents in the House of Commons Library. The hon. Member should note that there are some redactions to the assessment for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 that fall within the exception to disclos...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPolling Stations: Religious BuildingsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the press release entitled Weekend voting and shopping centre polling stations to be trialled, on 2 March 2026, whether the plans for mobile voting stations will inclu
Answer: The choice of polling station is a matter for the independent Returning Officer. The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing guidance to Returning Officers and do so on the selection of appropriate polling stations. The Electoral Commission is a...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNorth Hertfordshire District Council: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119517More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the written statement of 2 March 2026, HCWS1375, on Flexible Voting Pilots, and with reference to the list of councils with elections in the Cabinet Office purdah gui
Answer: North Hertfordshire District Council elections are not listed in the Cabinet Office pre-election period guidance because they do not have scheduled elections in 2026. The government remains committed to the indicative timetable for local government reorga...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordVoting MethodsSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119516More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 84203 on Voting Methods, whether the Electoral Commission was consulted by the
Answer: The Government was required to consult the Electoral Commission before making the draft orders providing for flexible voting pilot schemes at the May 2026 elections in England. The Commission has a statutory duty to independently evaluate and report on th...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElections: MonitoringSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119515More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has issued guidance to Returning Officers on whether election observers can raise points of concern
Answer: The Commission’s guidance for Returning Officers notes that they have a legal duty to have regard to the Code of Practice for observers when managing the attendance of observers at polling stations. The Code states that observers may bring irregularities,...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElections: MonitoringSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119514More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Electoral Commission's document entitled Accredited Observer Organisations, published in February 2026, for wh
Answer: The Commission is responsible under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for accrediting individuals and organisations who wish to observe electoral processes at elections and relevant referendums held in the United Kingdom.Anyone ove...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElections: Local GovernmentSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119513More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 102773 on Local Government: Elections, whether the Parliamentary Parties Panel
Answer: The Westminster Political Parties Panel was not consulted on the local election pilots.The Commission has a statutory duty to independently evaluate the May 2026 pilot schemes and will report on the pilots by August 2026. The Commission will also support ...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectoral RegisterSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119512More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Electoral Commission's report entitled Automatic registration pilots evaluation, published in December 2025, h
Answer: Across the piloting local authorities 16,000 people were added to the registers automatically. At the time of publication of the Electoral Commission’s evaluation, data from piloting authorities showed that 83 of those electors had been removed during the...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119511More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner of 11 November 2025.
Answer: Thank you for raising this matter. The department has investigated the case, and we have provided a response on Friday 13 March.
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: PolandMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119510More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 110482, on Poland: Children, what steps his Department has taken to ensure enforcement of return orders in cases of international parental child abduction in
Answer: The Ministry of Justice does not play a direct role in individual international child abduction cases in Poland. Whether a return order is made in Poland in respect of a child who has been taken to Poland, or what action should be taken in Poland in relat...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: PolandMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119509More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 110482 on Poland: Children, what role his Department plays in international parental child abduction cases in Poland.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice does not play a direct role in individual international child abduction cases in Poland. Whether a return order is made in Poland in respect of a child who has been taken to Poland, or what action should be taken in Poland in relat...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119508More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2026, to Question 110483, on Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders, what assessment he has made of the validity of Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders from Po
Answer: International parental child abduction cases involving Poland are dealt with under an international and domestic law framework which is entirely separate from the framework for reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders. When a court is dealing with a c...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his assessment is of the effectiveness of Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders.
Answer: The UK fully supports the operation of the international treaties which enable the cross-border enforcement of maintenance decisions. Children have a right to care and support, and parents have a responsibility to provide it. That responsibility endures r...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with her Polish counterparts on Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders.
Answer: There have been no recent discussions on Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders between the Secretary of State for Justice and Polish Ministers. Regular discussions take place between UK and Polish officials.
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPoland: ChildrenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110482More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her Polish counterpart on outstanding cases of children abducted from the UK to Poland.
Answer: I recognise the distress of all those affected by international parental child abduction (IPCA). It is an issue this Government takes very seriously. Ministers and officials continue to raise IPCA with the Polish authorities at every appropriate opportuni...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: ValuationTreasuryTabled 29 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109632More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Council Tax Valuation Operating System Evaluation, published by the Valuation Office Agency on 20 January 2026, what are the new geospatial tools, and which datasets is it populated with.
Answer: The Valuation Office Agency’s Valuation Operating System for Council Tax replaces multiple existing tools with a single case management system. This includes a mapping tool which utilises publicly available geographical data and government records to supp...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 29 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109631More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 104894, on business rates, and to the answer of 6 January 2025, to Question 20948, on Business Rates: Greater London, whether the Chief Statistician of the Valu
Answer: As part of its official statistics, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publishes the number of hereditaments by Special Category Code and local authority. The percentage change in RV is also published by Special Category Code and by Local/Unitary authority...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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