David Simmonds MP: written questions
457 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Crown Court: HarrowMinistry of JusticeTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15023More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many criminal trials listed at Harrow Crown Court were recorded as ineffective in each month of a) 2023 and b) 2026.
Answer: An ineffective trial is one that does not go ahead on the scheduled trial date, so a further listing is required. This can be due to action or inaction by one or more of the prosecution, the defence, or the court. The Ministry of Justice collates and publ...
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDementia: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that the forthcoming Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia includes a standardised and proactive post-diagnostic support offer for people living with dementia.
Answer: Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. Those with dementia will benefit from more joined up care through co-created care plans, as by 2027, 95% of those with complex needs w...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: ValuationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 10763More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the maximum fine that may be imposed by the courts for a householder (a) refusing access to a council tax valuation officer who has given notice as required of the exerci
Answer: A person who intentionally delays or obstructs a valuation officer in the exercise of their duty may be subject to a fine of up to £200. Where a person fails to, without a reasonable excuse, provide information requested, which they are in possession or c...
Answered 23 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordVisitor Levy: BoatsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9105More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the overnight visitor levy will apply to canal boats which are rented out on a short-term basis.
Answer: We are empowering Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation, to drive economic growth in their region. including through support for the local visitor economy. Following the public consultation, decisions on the scope of the...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Works Loan Board: BarnetMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9103More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what Public Works Loan Board borrowing has been given to the London Borough of Barnet since July 2024, and on what terms and purposes.
Answer: Government does not publish individual local authority’s loans and interest rates, however, data on loans issued from the Public Works Loan Board is published at Historical Data. Further, authorities are required to report their financial position in thei...
Answered 22 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTreaties: Parliamentary ScrutinyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8786More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2026, to Question HL16533, on Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny, whether any Memorandums of Understanding and other non-legally binding ag
Answer: The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: SecondmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will list the names of the organisations that have (a) had his department’s Civil Servants seconded to them since July 2024, and (b) seconded their staff to the department.
Answer: Organisations of secondments both in and out of the department that have commenced since July 2024 are included in the tables below. Secondment In from July 2024 onwards. Birmingham City CouncilBristol City CouncilEast Sussex Fire and RescueEnvironment Ag...
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTower Hamlets Council: AllowancesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Ministerial Envoys were consulted over the mayoral and councillor allowance increases in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Answer: The detail of day-to-day discussions between ministerial appointees and their local authority is not routinely reported to ministers, and I am not in a position to comment on those conversations. The Envoys are continuing to work comprehensively within th...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: StaffMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many staff were recorded as entering his London departmental HQ building on Friday 29 May 2026 based on (a) pass or (b) Wifi access data.
Answer: Based on Wi-Fi access data, 295 individuals were recorded working from our 2 Marsham Street office on Friday 29 May 2026. This figure is slightly lower than typical levels, reflecting reduced attendance during the half-term period.
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: StaffMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many headcount staff are assigned to work in his London departmental HQ building.
Answer: At 31st May 2026 there were 2041 (1991.6FTE) payroll active employees assigned to our 2 Marsham street office in London.
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what date does the ban on councils adopting the Committee system of governance take effect, and whether councils will be required to phase out existing use of the Committee sy
Answer: All councils currently operating the committee system, unless they are protected, must adopt the Leader and Cabinet model within the period of one year after commencement of relevant provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. Thos...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the latest assessment of the number of homes that have been (a) started and (b) completed in the Old Oak Common site in West London since July 2024, and what steps are (i
Answer: Data on starts and completions at the Old Oak Opportunity area in West London are not centrally collected. The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is a Mayoral Development Corporation established by the Mayor of London to regenerate the ...
Answered 24 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRoad Signs and MarkingsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 9 September 2024, to Question 3012, on Road Signs and Markings, what is the status of his Department's monitoring of the partly commenced legislat
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 63029 on 4 July 2025 and UIN 90725 on 21 November 2025.
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2026, to Question 198, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Departmental Responsibilities, what amount and proportion of the
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60128 on 4 July 2025.
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBuilding Alterations: Permitted Development RightsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8774More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to amend permitted development rights relating to householder (a) loft extensions and (b) conservatories.
Answer: The government has no such current plans.
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBuilding Alterations: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8773More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what number and proportion of existing planning applications considered by local authority Planning Committees relate to householder (a) loft extensions and (b) conservatories.
Answer: My Department does not hold the information requested.
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPolitical Parties: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8772More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the interaction of the provisions of the Representation of the People Bill on corporate donations with the proposed draft guidance by t
Answer: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) sets out a comprehensive framework governing political donations and controls on permissible sources of funding. This includes provisions relevant to sponsorship and other forms of support ...
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordElections: Greater ManchesterMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8771More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has received from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority or its mayor on (a) Supplementary Vote and (b) Proportional Representation since J
Answer: We have not received any representations from Greater Manchester Combined Authority or its mayor on Supplementary Vote or Proportional Representation.
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTribunals: RentsMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8770More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Tribunal Service to handle the number of rent reviews following recent legislative reforms.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice has and continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has the capacity to handle the number of rent appeals following commencement...
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNurseriesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8769More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the provision of nursery places in and near large new developments.
Answer: The importance of ensuring that a sufficient choice of early years places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities is recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It makes clear that local planning authorities should ...
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFlats: SalesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8768More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of completed flats which are unsold.
Answer: My Department has made no such estimate.
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFlags: PalestineMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8767More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2026 to Question 2010 on Flags: Palestine, and with reference to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 88668 on Flags: Palestine, whether th
Answer: The United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine as an independent sovereign state. The Palestinian flag is a country’s national flag and would therefore come under category a) of the guidance in question i.e. flags which can be flown without...
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: SurchargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the council tax surcharge on (a) housebuilding and (b) house prices.
Answer: The Government expects a minimal effect on properties subject to the new charge and very little impact on properties below the threshold. House prices are affected by a range of factors, the Surcharge is targeted at fewer than 1% of the highest value prop...
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Surrey Council: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8765More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether West Surrey Council will receive exceptional support funding given its inherited debt and legacy debt payments.
Answer: We have committed to significant and unprecedented debt repayment support for Woking Borough Council, recognising that the council holds unsupported debt that they can never fully repay locally. We will repay in-principle £500m of Woking’s debt in 2026-27...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Public BodiesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8764More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the timetable for legislation on creating a new standards body for local government.
Answer: The Government Response to the ‘Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England’ consultation, published on 11 November 2025, states our intention to legislate for whole system reform of the local government standards re...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →