The Department has a dedicated Planning Capability and Capacity programme to support planning reform.<\/p>
We are currently reviewing how best to deploy additional support made available as a result of our plans to increase the rate of the stamp duty surcharge paid by non-UK residents.<\/p>
In the recently launched consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system, the Government set out proposed changes to planning application fees and also sought views on the localisation of such fees.<\/p>
The Government is committed to achieving full local plan coverage as part of wider planning reforms. Funding will be made available to support those authorities who will be required to undertake additional work to take account of the updated NPPF once this is published in the Autumn.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4520", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matthew Pennycook"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Greenwich and Woolwich"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matthew Pennycook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-05T13:11:41.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Planning Authorities"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed planning changes on the capacity of local planning authorities; and whether she will provide additional funding to those authorities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "1984"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723758", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723758/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
A healthy natural environment is critical to a strong economy. This government is committed to delivering for nature and will work with stakeholders, including nature conservation organisations, to develop an approach that both restores nature and enables economic growth. We will only legislate where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1579", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Creagh"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mary Creagh"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-05T15:30:29.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will disapply the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "1986"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723759", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723759/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This government was elected on a mandate to get Britain building again, alongside protecting and restoring the natural environment. We are determined to transform the system to ensure a win-win for people and nature.<\/p>
<\/p>
The existing nutrient mitigation market plays an essential role in enabling housing to go ahead in areas affected by nutrient neutrality without making pollution worse. The Government is continuing to support mitigation provision through Natural England\u2019s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government\u2019s Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, which work with and alongside private sector providers.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1579", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mary Creagh"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mary Creagh"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-05T15:35:17.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Water: Pollution Control"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of her policies on (a) the mitigation credit market and (b) investor confidence in nature markets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "1987"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701187", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy Security and Net Zero"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1701187/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Britain is the first major economy to halve emissions, whilst growing the economy by 80%. We have more ambitious targets for 2030 than the EU, with the UK aiming for a 68% reduction in emissions to their 55%. We have over-achieved on all carbon budgets to date, and remain on track for the next.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4806", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Coutinho"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Surrey"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Claire Coutinho"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-16T11:50:48.73Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "215"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Climate Change: Carbon Emissions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What progress she has made on reaching the UK\u2019s 2050 net zero target.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "902293"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689418", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689418/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Control of Horses Act 2015 provides powers for landowners, land occupiers and local authorities to deal with horses placed unlawfully on any land, public or private (including equine abandonments). The 2015 Act allows for action to be taken quickly where horses are placed on land without the land-owner\u2019s permission.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-27T13:19:12.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Horses: Animal Welfare"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to tackle horse (a) fly-grazing and (b) abandonment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "14317"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689419", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689419/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 amends the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) to provide one of the toughest sanctions in Europe and strengthens the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare. The 2006 Act, as amended in 2021, now means a maximum sentence of five years and/or an unlimited fine will apply to the most serious animal cruelty offences, including causing unnecessary suffering, and is a significant step forward in improving animal welfare.<\/p>
<\/p>
Local authorities have powers under the 2006 Act to act where a horse is suspected to be suffering on any land, public or private. In such circumstances, the local authority may enter the land and take control of the animal.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-27T13:14:06.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Horses: Animal Welfare"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to help ensure that people who neglect their horses are prosecuted.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "14318"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689420", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689420/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Control of Horses Act 2015 provides powers for landowners, land occupiers and local authorities to deal with horses placed unlawfully on any land, public or private (including equine abandonments). The 2015 Act allows for action to be taken quickly where horses are placed on land without the land-owner\u2019s permission. If no owner can be identified within four working days, options include rehoming, either privately or via charities, or offering the horses for sale.<\/p>
<\/p>
Local authorities are responsible for compliance with the legislation and its enforcement. Enforcement will vary according to location, depending on local priorities. We therefore encourage all interested parties to work together at local level to use the available powers to address the problem of abandoned horses.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government considers that the relevant legislation and guidance in place provides the right safeguards and powers in respect of protecting equine welfare. We remain committed to working with enforcement agencies and other interested parties to ensure issues of horse abandonments or neglect are effectively addressed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-28T13:45:53.807Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fly-grazing"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support local authorities (a) manage and (b) care for neglected horses that have been left to fly-graze.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "14319"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689830", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1689830/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK continues to galvanise international support for Ukraine.<\/p>
<\/p>
We were the first to send lethal aid before the invasion to Ukraine. £896 million has now been pledged to UK-established International Fund for Ukraine.<\/p>
<\/p>
We continue to deliver a training operation for Ukrainian forces alongside 11 international partners, with more than 60,000 Ukrainians trained since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2014.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4528", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Heappey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wells"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Heappey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-19T16:46:42.977Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ukraine: Military Aid"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the international response in Ukraine.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4872", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simmonds"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simmonds"} ], "uin" : "901536"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686001", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686001/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The department recognises the challenge some schools face with falling rolls, particularly in London. London is attracting an additional £75.1 million of funding for schools in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24 through the schools Dedicated Schools Grant, which is an increase of 1.6% per pupil excluding growth funding. This takes the total funding for 2024/25 in London to over £7.4 billion, based on current pupil numbers.<\/p>
<\/p>
In the 2024/25 financial year, the department is changing how \u2018growth and falling rolls funding\u2019 is allocated to local authorities, so that this is based not only on increases in pupil numbers, but also decreases. This methodology will ensure that local authorities in which schools are experiencing significant decreases in pupil numbers will attract additional funding to support those schools. The restriction that schools must be judged \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018outstanding\u2019 in their last Ofsted inspection to be eligible for falling rolls funding has also been removed.<\/p>
<\/p>
The department is also broadening the scope of growth funding to allow local authorities to use growth funding to meet the revenue costs of removing surplus places. Such funding could support local authorities to repurpose space to create Special Educational needs and Disability (SEND) units, resourced bases, or wraparound childcare provision in mainstream schools. This is activity which we know many local authorities are already undertaking.<\/p>
<\/p>