David Simmonds MP: written questions
363 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16549More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes (a) in total and (b) by type of tenure have been financed under the Levelling Up Home Building Fund.
Answer: Since the Levelling Up Home Building Fund launched in 2022, it has committed funding to support the delivery of 35,695 new homes against its target of 42,000.Tenure breakdown information is only available once construction is started on site, so is not av...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBuildings: InsulationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the new cladding remediation plan.
Answer: On Monday 2 November we announced a Remediation Acceleration Plan which sets out key measures to remove unsafe cladding from buildings faster, identify remaining buildings still at risk and ensure that residents are supported through the remediation proce...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPermitted Development Rights: Public ConsultationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6190 on Permitted Development Rights, whether her Department has made an assessment of the extent to which that consultation
Answer: While we cannot comment on the actions of the previous government, the consultation document sets out how it was planned to adhere to the consultation principles issued by the Cabinet Office.
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16546More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that vacant homes built under section 106 agreements are occupied.
Answer: The government is well aware of concerns about reduced appetite from Registered Providers of social housing to buy affordable homes delivered under Section 106 agreements. We will continue to work with housebuilders, local authorities, and Registered Prov...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGrenfell Tower InquiryMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16545More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for responding to the policy paper entitled Publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report, published on 4 September 2024.
Answer: We are considering the recommendations set out in the Grenfell Inquiry report. The Prime Minister has committed to respond in full to the Inquiry’s recommendations within six months.
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLand Use: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16544More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's policy paper, entitled Brownfield Passport: Making the Most of Urban Land, published in September 2024, whether it is her policy that planning
Answer: The government’s planning reform working paper regarding a brownfield passport invites views on further action the government could take through the planning system to support the development of brownfield land in urban areas. It proposes options for a fo...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPlanning Permission: Carbon EmissionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16543More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on whether the embodied carbon of an existing building is a material consideration in the planning process.
Answer: The government’s Planning Practice Guidance on Climate Change, National Design Guide and National Model Design Code provide general guidance on how carbon impacts can be taken into account in the planning process.In our recent consultation on proposed ref...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncillors: Data ProtectionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16542More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to remove the requirement for councillor’s home addresses to be published.
Answer: Primary legislation is needed to remove the requirement for local government members’ home addresses to be included in published versions of registers of interests. We intend to legislate at the first available opportunity.There are also limited circumsta...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordOffices: Change of UseMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her (a) housing and (b) planning policy is on encouraging councils to turn (i) empty and (ii) redundant office space into residential accommodation.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and oth...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: Energy Performance CertificatesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of planning restrictions on the ability of private rented homes to meet the new Energy Performance Certificate C requirement.
Answer: The Government will shortly consult on implementing a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band C or equivalent in the private rented sector by 2030. The consultation will be accompanied by an Options Assessment, which will...
Answered 27 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNational SecurityMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 5674 on National Security, if she will list the key stakeholders who her Department is working with; and whether this include
Answer: As set out in our manifesto, the Government is committed to strengthening our democracy, upholding the integrity of elections and widening participation in the democratic process.The department will work closely with key stakeholders, including local auth...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMayors: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 5414 on Local Government: Elections, whether she plans to lay the associated legislation to allow the combined authority mayo
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 recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 5417 on Housing: Construction, if she will list the 60 local authorities affected by nutrient neutrality rules.
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 recordCouncil 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 record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →