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answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
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50412

registered interest
date	08/05/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of empty properties in (a) Bristol North West constituency and (b) Bristol.
tabling member constituency	Bristol North West
tabling member printed	Charlotte Leslie
uin	198256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p>Statistics on vacant dwellings in England and in each local authority district, including Bristol, are published in the Department's live table 615 which is available at the following link.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants</a></p><p>This table shows the annual total numbers of empty homes and those vacant longer than six months and also vacant in the local authority, housing association and other public sector tenures:</p><p>Data is collected only at local authority district level and is not available by parliamentary constituency.</p><p>The number of vacant dwellings and long-term dwellings, for the City of Bristol and England, are shown in Tables 1 and 2.</p><p>Table 1: All vacant dwellings, City of Bristol and England, 5 Oct 2009 to 7 Oct 2013</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>5 Oct 2009</p></td><td><p>4 Oct 2010</p></td><td><p>3 Oct 2011</p></td><td><p>1 Oct 2012</p></td><td><p>7 Oct 2013</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>City of Bristol</p></td><td><p>4,890</p></td><td><p>5,069</p></td><td><p>4,519</p></td><td><p>4,294</p></td><td><p>3,583</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>770,496</p></td><td><p>737,147</p></td><td><p>719,352</p></td><td><p>704,357</p></td><td><p>635,127</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Table 2: All long-term vacant dwellings, City of Bristol and England, 5 Oct 2009 to 7 Oct 2013</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>5 Oct 2009</p></td><td><p>4 Oct 2010</p></td><td><p>3 Oct 2011</p></td><td><p>1 Oct 2012</p></td><td><p>7 Oct 2013</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>City of Bristol</p></td><td><p>2,034</p></td><td><p>1,929</p></td><td><p>1,968</p></td><td><p>1,780</p></td><td><p>1,283</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>316,251</p></td><td><p>299,999</p></td><td><p>277,529</p></td><td><p>254,059</p></td><td><p>216,050</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	3933 label Biography information for Charlotte Leslie

50108

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much financial support his Department provided to Hope not Hate in each of the last three years; and what steps he takes to prevent the use of such monies for party political campaigning.
tabling member constituency	Kettering
tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
uin	198044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>‘Hope Not Hate' has not received any financial support from the Department for Communities and Local Government.</p><p>This Department provided Searchlight Educational Trust, a registered charity, with a grant of £66,000 in the financial year 2012-13 to establish community partnerships to foster integration in four neighbourhoods.</p><p>Following completion of the project, Searchlight Educational Trust changed their name to Hope Not Hate Educational Ltd. We monitored progress with the project closely and are satisfied that the funding for Searchlight Educational Trust was used for purposes outlined in the funding agreement and that no funding was used for party political campaigning. Conditions in the funding agreement prevent funds being spent on political campaigning. Furthermore, an organisation that exists for political purposes would not meet the criteria for charitable status - so we would be unable to award them grant under the Charities Act 2006.</p><p>I am aware that it has been claimed that the Department has funded campaigning by Hope not Hate against a certain political party. This is completely untrue.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

49795

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to answer Question 196308, tabled on 10 April 2014 for answer on 28 April 2014.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	197920
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><em>[Holding Reply: Monday 12 May 2014]</em></p><p>Question 196308 has been answered today.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams previous answer version 9523 answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

49190

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the 100 most deprived wards as measured by the index of multiple deprivation are.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	197424
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Index of Multiple Deprivation is not calculated for electoral wards but is available for Lower-layer Super Output Areas in England. These are a Census geography each containing approximately 1,500 people.</p><p>The 100 most deprived Lower-layer Super Output Areas in England, according to the 2010 English Index of Multiple Deprivation, are listed below.</p><p>The Department for Communities and Local Government is updating the Index of Multiple Deprivation, with publication anticipated in summer 2015.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Lower-layer Super </strong></p><p><strong>Output Area name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Lower-layer Super </strong></p><p><strong>Output Area Code</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>RANK (where 1 is most deprived)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tendring 018A</p></td><td><p>E01021988</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East Lincolnshire 002C</p></td><td><p>E01013139</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 010A</p></td><td><p>E01012673</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 018C</p></td><td><p>E01006559</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 007C</p></td><td><p>E01012721</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 059C</p></td><td><p>E01006755</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burnley 010E</p></td><td><p>E01024908</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 008A</p></td><td><p>E01012678</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rochdale 010E</p></td><td><p>E01005484</p></td><td><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester 009C</p></td><td><p>E01005204</p></td><td><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 003A</p></td><td><p>E01012875</p></td><td><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 023A</p></td><td><p>E01006560</p></td><td><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 022C</p></td><td><p>E01006777</p></td><td><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bradford 039C</p></td><td><p>E01010617</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East Lincolnshire 006A</p></td><td><p>E01013138</p></td><td><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East Lincolnshire 002B</p></td><td><p>E01013137</p></td><td><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Redcar and Cleveland 009B</p></td><td><p>E01012114</p></td><td><p>17</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 010B</p></td><td><p>E01006442</p></td><td><p>18</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rochdale 016C</p></td><td><p>E01005466</p></td><td><p>19</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 018D</p></td><td><p>E01006561</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burnley 007C</p></td><td><p>E01024858</p></td><td><p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thanet 003A</p></td><td><p>E01024676</p></td><td><p>22</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 006A</p></td><td><p>E01012681</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wirral 011C</p></td><td><p>E01007122</p></td><td><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Birmingham 071D</p></td><td><p>E01009365</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salford 024A</p></td><td><p>E01005655</p></td><td><p>26</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 013A</p></td><td><p>E01012671</p></td><td><p>27</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 014E</p></td><td><p>E01006778</p></td><td><p>28</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 022A</p></td><td><p>E01006704</p></td><td><p>29</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Middlesbrough 003F</p></td><td><p>E01012041</p></td><td><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Middlesbrough 001C</p></td><td><p>E01012070</p></td><td><p>31</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burnley 012B</p></td><td><p>E01024906</p></td><td><p>32</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thanet 001A</p></td><td><p>E01024657</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 007B</p></td><td><p>E01012720</p></td><td><p>34</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 008D</p></td><td><p>E01012682</p></td><td><p>35</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Coventry 007E</p></td><td><p>E01009585</p></td><td><p>36</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 013B</p></td><td><p>E01012672</p></td><td><p>37</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sunderland 016F</p></td><td><p>E01008836</p></td><td><p>38</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 024C</p></td><td><p>E01006647</p></td><td><p>39</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 010E</p></td><td><p>E01006445</p></td><td><p>40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 006B</p></td><td><p>E01012683</p></td><td><p>41</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 024B</p></td><td><p>E01006563</p></td><td><p>42</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 014D</p></td><td><p>E01006703</p></td><td><p>43</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>St. Helens 014E</p></td><td><p>E01006874</p></td><td><p>44</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 023C</p></td><td><p>E01006646</p></td><td><p>45</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Birmingham 051C</p></td><td><p>E01009488</p></td><td><p>46</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bolton 016A</p></td><td><p>E01004821</p></td><td><p>47</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 008B</p></td><td><p>E01006467</p></td><td><p>48</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 018E</p></td><td><p>E01006562</p></td><td><p>49</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mansfield 009E</p></td><td><p>E01028276</p></td><td><p>50</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 039D</p></td><td><p>E01006679</p></td><td><p>51</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oldham 014B</p></td><td><p>E01005350</p></td><td><p>52</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 008C</p></td><td><p>E01006468</p></td><td><p>53</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Middlesbrough 001B</p></td><td><p>E01012069</p></td><td><p>54</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 024A</p></td><td><p>E01006540</p></td><td><p>55</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 008D</p></td><td><p>E01006469</p></td><td><p>56</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 011E</p></td><td><p>E01006732</p></td><td><p>57</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 010E</p></td><td><p>E01012737</p></td><td><p>58</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rochdale 012E</p></td><td><p>E01005568</p></td><td><p>59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burnley 003D</p></td><td><p>E01024877</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 013C</p></td><td><p>E01012674</p></td><td><p>61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 003B</p></td><td><p>E01006417</p></td><td><p>62</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 014A</p></td><td><p>E01006699</p></td><td><p>63</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester 009E</p></td><td><p>E01005228</p></td><td><p>64</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bradford 045C</p></td><td><p>E01010730</p></td><td><p>65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 018B</p></td><td><p>E01006558</p></td><td><p>66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester 020A</p></td><td><p>E01005067</p></td><td><p>67</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackburn with Darwen 006E</p></td><td><p>E01012655</p></td><td><p>68</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East Lincolnshire 002A</p></td><td><p>E01013136</p></td><td><p>69</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 022D</p></td><td><p>E01006779</p></td><td><p>70</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salford 024B</p></td><td><p>E01005658</p></td><td><p>71</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 043D</p></td><td><p>E01006677</p></td><td><p>72</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rochdale 010C</p></td><td><p>E01005482</p></td><td><p>73</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Redcar and Cleveland 008D</p></td><td><p>E01012170</p></td><td><p>74</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 031F</p></td><td><p>E01012890</p></td><td><p>75</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sheffield 039A</p></td><td><p>E01008011</p></td><td><p>76</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 003E</p></td><td><p>E01012879</p></td><td><p>77</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 029D</p></td><td><p>E01012855</p></td><td><p>78</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Preston 009E</p></td><td><p>E01025286</p></td><td><p>79</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bradford 052B</p></td><td><p>E01010819</p></td><td><p>80</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thanet 001E</p></td><td><p>E01024678</p></td><td><p>81</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bradford 051C</p></td><td><p>E01010739</p></td><td><p>82</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Blackpool 007D</p></td><td><p>E01012724</p></td><td><p>83</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 057A</p></td><td><p>E01006740</p></td><td><p>84</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Middlesbrough 006C</p></td><td><p>E01012028</p></td><td><p>85</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 017E</p></td><td><p>E01012897</p></td><td><p>86</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newcastle upon Tyne 008G</p></td><td><p>E01008380</p></td><td><p>87</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kingston upon Hull 030C</p></td><td><p>E01012891</p></td><td><p>88</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 010B</p></td><td><p>E01006599</p></td><td><p>89</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wirral 010A</p></td><td><p>E01007132</p></td><td><p>90</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Birmingham 047B</p></td><td><p>E01009358</p></td><td><p>91</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Walsall 030C</p></td><td><p>E01010371</p></td><td><p>92</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Stockton-on-Tees 014E</p></td><td><p>E01012266</p></td><td><p>93</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Redcar and Cleveland 008C</p></td><td><p>E01012169</p></td><td><p>94</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Knowsley 001A</p></td><td><p>E01006448</p></td><td><p>95</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester 012E</p></td><td><p>E01005261</p></td><td><p>96</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Nottingham 011B</p></td><td><p>E01013818</p></td><td><p>97</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liverpool 044D</p></td><td><p>E01006676</p></td><td><p>98</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southend-on-Sea 014D</p></td><td><p>E01015842</p></td><td><p>99</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Leicester 012D</p></td><td><p>E01013726</p></td><td><p>100</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

49227

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, for what reason the empty home premium starts when a property first becomes empty rather than when a property is bought with the intention of renovating and occupying it.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	197269
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The empty homes premium aims to reduce the total length of time for which properties are empty, not the length of time for which they are empty under a particular owner.</p><p>Since the power came into effect on 1 April 2013, 239 councils in England have introduced the empty homes premium. The number of long-term empty homes fell by 38,009 between October 2012 and October 2013.</p><p>Properties that are left empty due to the death of the occupier are exempt from council tax for up to six months after the granting of probate, or after letters of administration have been signed.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

49254

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the reasons are for the time taken to answer question 191956 tabled for answer on 8 April 2014.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	197366
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the rt. hon. Member to my answer of 1 May, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 803W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams grouped question UIN 197367 question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

49255

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to answer Question 194894, tabled for answer on 8 April 2014.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	197367
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the rt. hon. Member to my answer of 1 May, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 803W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams grouped question UIN 197366 question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

48770

registered interest
date	28/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much financial support his Department provided to Show Racism the Red Card in each of the last three years; and what controls are in place to prevent the use of such monies for party political campaigning.
tabling member constituency	Kettering
tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
uin	196797
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Department for Communities and Local Government provided the following funding to Show Racism the Red Card:</p><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p><p>2012 £52,460</p><p>2013 £105,077</p><p>2014 £47,427</p><p>Total £204,964</p><p>We are satisfied that the funding for Show Racism the Red Card was used for purposes outlined in the funding agreement – the provision of education workshops to equip young people with skills to reject the divisive messages of groups like the English Defence League – and that no funding was used for purposes of a political nature. Conditions in the funding agreement prevent funds being spent on anything other than educational work (including a prohibition on any political campaigning) and their status as a charity further preludes them from engaging in political activities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 01/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

48158

registered interest
date	10/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average number of people on a waiting list for an allotment for every 100 plots available in England.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	196308
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>My Department does not estimate allotment waiting list times, as it is individual local authorities which have the legal responsibility for the management and provision of allotments in their area, ensuring that those who want to start an allotment can do so.</p><p>Notwithstanding, a survey of allotment waiting lists was carried out by the National Allotment Society and Transition Town West Kirby in July 2013. Whilst there is a degree of difficulty in creating precise estimates, their research indicated that there was an average of 52 people waiting for every 100 plots (as of January 2013). These waiting list figures were down on their previous surveys, which indicated an average of 57 people waiting in January 2011 and 59 people waiting in January 2010.</p><p>The 2013 survey also noted that that 65 new allotment sites had been created in the previous two years, across 51 councils, creating roughly 2,000 new allotment plots.</p><p>The Coalition Government has introduced a range of measures to help communities who want land to grow fruit and vegetables. Through new community rights, local residents have increased opportunities to protect existing allotments from development and increase provision of green spaces. For example, in Thame, in Oxfordshire, their new neighbourhood plan will create an additional hectare of allotment land. Allotments have also been listed as assets of community value.</p><p>As part of our commitment to supporting local community groups, my Department has also published a best practice guide for community groups wanting to find land to grow fruit and vegetables, as well as an additional guide on establishing community orchards and other spaces for food growing. These can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-for-food-growing-a-guide" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-for-food-growing-a-guide</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-orchards-a-how-to-guide" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-orchards-a-how-to-guide</a></p><p>In January 2014, my Department published <em>Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and Alternatives </em>replacing the previous guidance from 2002. The new guidance strengthens allotment protection, as the requirement for waiting lists to be taken into account must now be rigorously applied to all that council's waiting lists, not just the waiting list for the site to be disposed of. This aims to ensure that poorly maintained sites are not used to justify disposal. Ministers will be closely monitoring to ensure that this new guidance is followed.</p><p>I also refer the rt. hon. Member to my answer today to him of questions 191956 &amp; 196310, which explains how the Secretary of State's decisions on allotments since May 2010 have resulted in an increase in usable allotment land.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams grouped question UIN 196309 196311 question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

48159

registered interest
date	10/04/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average length of time a person has been on a waiting list for an allotment in each year since 2010 in England.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	196309
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>My Department does not estimate allotment waiting list times, as it is individual local authorities which have the legal responsibility for the management and provision of allotments in their area, ensuring that those who want to start an allotment can do so.</p><p>Notwithstanding, a survey of allotment waiting lists was carried out by the National Allotment Society and Transition Town West Kirby in July 2013. Whilst there is a degree of difficulty in creating precise estimates, their research indicated that there was an average of 52 people waiting for every 100 plots (as of January 2013). These waiting list figures were down on their previous surveys, which indicated an average of 57 people waiting in January 2011 and 59 people waiting in January 2010.</p><p>The 2013 survey also noted that that 65 new allotment sites had been created in the previous two years, across 51 councils, creating roughly 2,000 new allotment plots.</p><p>The Coalition Government has introduced a range of measures to help communities who want land to grow fruit and vegetables. Through new community rights, local residents have increased opportunities to protect existing allotments from development and increase provision of green spaces. For example, in Thame, in Oxfordshire, their new neighbourhood plan will create an additional hectare of allotment land. Allotments have also been listed as assets of community value.</p><p>As part of our commitment to supporting local community groups, my Department has also published a best practice guide for community groups wanting to find land to grow fruit and vegetables, as well as an additional guide on establishing community orchards and other spaces for food growing. These can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-for-food-growing-a-guide" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-for-food-growing-a-guide</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-orchards-a-how-to-guide" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-orchards-a-how-to-guide</a></p><p>In January 2014, my Department published <em>Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and Alternatives </em>replacing the previous guidance from 2002. The new guidance strengthens allotment protection, as the requirement for waiting lists to be taken into account must now be rigorously applied to all that council's waiting lists, not just the waiting list for the site to be disposed of. This aims to ensure that poorly maintained sites are not used to justify disposal. Ministers will be closely monitoring to ensure that this new guidance is followed.</p><p>I also refer the rt. hon. Member to my answer today to him of questions 191956 &amp; 196310, which explains how the Secretary of State's decisions on allotments since May 2010 have resulted in an increase in usable allotment land.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams grouped question UIN 196308 196311 question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn