James Cleverly MP: written questions
1632 published records · newest first.
Written questions
By-elections: Gorton and DentonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116764More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to commission a review into the secrecy of the ballot in the Gorton and Denton Parliamentary by-election.
Answer: I understand that allegations of a breach of the secret ballot have been reported to the Greater Manchester Police, and they are investigating the matter. The Electoral Commission and the Returning Officer are in contact with them and are providing assist...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRight to Manage CompaniesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116763More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enacting the recommendations from the Law Commission on the right to manage.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. member to the answer given to Question UIN 90259 on 21 November 2025.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPride in Place ProgrammeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116762More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what requirements does Pride of Place funding have to be spent on (a) capital and (b) revenue in (i) England and (ii) each other constituent nation; and whether this differs from
Answer: The government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion of funding and support over 10 years to up to 284 places. Each community will receive up to £20 million over that period. For Phase 1 places, funding is split 75% capital and 25% re...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning Inspectorate: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Planning Inspectorate against its targets on planning decisions.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116760More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 109259 on Local Government: Elections, which local authorities submitted applications for an election pilot in May 2026 and
Answer: In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England, with a deadline of 22 September 2025. In December 2025, council leaders in local government reorganisation areas were...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116759More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding his Department plans to provide to the Local Government Association to help support disabled people hold office in local government in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.
Answer: It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.A ne...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: ValuationTreasuryTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116758More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109630 on Council tax: Valuation, what the completion date is for the Council tax valuation operating system; and whether it will be used to assist the (a) counc
Answer: The Valuation Operating System for Council Tax was launched in 2025 and supports all Council Tax work in England and Wales, including the High Value Council Tax Surcharge
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: ValuationTreasuryTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116757More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109632 on Council tax: Valuation, what (a) geographical tools and (b) datasets are accessible within the new Valuation Office Agency Valuation Operating System.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN UIN109632 on 5 February 2026.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIndependent Review into Civil Unrest in LeicesterMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116756More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 108217 on Independent Review into Civil Unrest in Leicester, if he will publish the report.
Answer: I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87636 on 11 November 2025.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLicensed Premises: Business RatesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116755More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109273 on Licensed Premises: Business Rates, what estimate he has made of the cost of the compensation in 2026-27; and wheth
Answer: The department will publish the cost of compensating local authorities for the relief as part of the 2026-27 NNDR3 outturn data reconciliation, following the end of the 2026-27 financial year. Local authorities will be fully compensated for the loss of in...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: BillingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116754More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 108644 on Council tax: billing, what his planned timetable is for responding to that consultation; and whether the change on
Answer: The Government will respond to the consultation in due course. It would not require primary legislation to move to 12-month billing by default, this could be done by secondary legislation.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116753More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109135 on Affordable Housing: Construction, how many acquisitions of existing properties will be permitted under the new Aff
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the policy statement published by my Department on 7 November 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here.Bidding for the Social and Affordable Homes (SAHP) Programme opened on 24 February 2026. Further information about the progr...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil TaxMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116752More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 9 February 2026 on Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, what estimate his Department has made of the total increase
Answer: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 March to Question UIN 113733.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElections: Tower HamletsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116751More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the (a) Ministerial Envoys, (b) his Department and (c) Defending Democracy Taskforce is taking steps to help ensure the integrity of the ballot in the councillor and mayo
Answer: Security of our democratic processes is paramount, and this Government has robust systems in place to ensure the integrity of its elections. The Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit (JESP) is leading cross-government efforts in preparation for th...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116750More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 111141 on Local Government Finance, how much funding the six areas will receive in (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28 prior to the
Answer: The six areas on the Devolution Priority Programme will receive both the Mayoral Capacity Fund and the Investment Fund, which is based on population, from MHCLG in 2026/27 and 2027/28, subject to the strategic authority being established where this has no...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116749More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his letter to council leaders and others of 16 February 2026 on postponement of local elections in England in May 2026, for what reason the decision was made by
Answer: As set out in the Government’s communication to the Court and the Secretary of State’s correspondence to the Rt. Hon. Member of 23 February, in order to ensure that the position was reconsidered afresh, and recognising the urgency created by the electoral...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116748More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, para 5.9, if he will publish the representati
Answer: The Government has no plans to publish the representations received.
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSecret BallotMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to Electoral Registration Officers on (a) secrecy of the ballot and (b) other aspects of enforcement of
Answer: Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission provides them with extensive guidance on the administration of elections. It includes guidance on polling station voting and the secrecy requirements of the poll....
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBallot Secrecy Act 2023Speaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116490More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to Electoral Registration Officers on enforcing the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.
Answer: The right to vote in secret is set out in UK electoral law. The Electoral Commission’s position, outlined in guidance to electoral administrators, has always been that anyone attempting to inappropriately influence how another person votes, or to steal so...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBy-elections: Gorton and DentonSpeaker's Committee on the Electoral CommissionTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116489More
Question: To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, further to the research published by Democracy Volunteers, what discussions he has had with Manchester City Council on compliance wi
Answer: The Electoral Commission was in close contact with the Returning Officer (RO) to quickly and carefully review the concerns that have been raised and the information available in relation to the by-election.The Commission considers the performance of ROs i...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAbsent Voting: British Nationals AbroadMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing overseas electors to download postal ballot papers and send back their completed ballot.
Answer: The Government has no plans to allow electors to download and print their own ballot papers. All ballot papers must be uniformly printed and contain security markings in order to ensure the secrecy of the ballot and to prevent against fraud. It would not ...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Plans and Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether guidance has been provided to (a) local authorities and (b) councillors on predetermination in planning in relation to (i) Local Plans and (ii) planning applications.
Answer: Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 deals with the matter of predetermination of decisions by councillors.The Local Government Association has provided guidance for councillors as to how this applies to decisions on planning applications and local plan po...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: AsylumMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111142 on Housing: Asylum, how many local authorities submitted an expression of interest to the new model for asylum accom
Answer: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not invited, nor received, expressions of interest from local authorities in relation to a new model for asylum accommodation.
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning Permission: Disclosure of InformationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 111132, on Planning Permission: Disclosure of Information, if he will list the full title, data, local authority and refer
Answer: Section 321 Directions were issued in respect of applications at: The Pavilions, Sandy Lane, Runcorn, WA7 4EX, Halton Borough Council (Reference: 17/00468/FUL) made on 26 February 2017 and withdrawn on 17 January 2022. Heath Business and Technical Park, H...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government Pension SchemeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116484More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2025, to Question 58058, on Local Government Pension Scheme, and of 12 February 2026, to Question 111138, on Local Government: Redundancy Pay, w
Answer: Council staff are expected to transfer to new unitary councils. The cost of any exit payments made by a council offered as part of a voluntary exit scheme or resulting from any compulsory redundancies implemented by a new unitary council, including paymen...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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