Blake Stephenson MP: written questions

1633 published records · newest first.

Written questions

Planning: SoilDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to promote soil education among planning officers, developers, landowners and the public.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of soil education and promoting the importance of soil health, through sustainable and responsibly managed soil practices.Defra continues to engage with the industry to disseminate a range of material to support pl...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Planning: SoilMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102028More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making soil a material consideration in planning law.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance are material considerations in the planning process. The NPPF makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment ...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Housing: SoilMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102027More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of updating planning validation checklists to require Soil Impact Assessments for major housing developments.
Answer: The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including policies designed to encourage a more consistent and proportionate approach to local information requirements (local validation lists). The consu...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
First Time BuyersMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of home purchasers who were first time buyers in each of the last five years.
Answer: My Department does not collect data on the number of first-time buyers.The Office for National Statistics publishes data on first-time buyer mortgage sales by local authority in the UK. They can be found on its website here. Data covers the period between...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102025More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of local authorities whose five year land supply is based on housing targets published in December 2024.
Answer: For the purpose of calculating their five-year housing land supply, local planning authorities with up-to-date local development plans are assessed against their adopted plan requirement. LPAs without up-to-date development plans are assessed against Loca...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102024More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether development corporations for new towns will be able to purchase primary residences.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: FloodsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102023More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce consulted flooding experts.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: FloodsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the localised flooding risk in each of the sites recommended by the New Towns Taskforce.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make additional infrastructure funding available to Central Bedfordshire Council for the Tempsford and Milton Keynes New Towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Local Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered the potential implications for his policies of the CCN report entitled Local Government Re-Organisation: Evaluating the financial impact of population t
Answer: In our invitation on 5 February 2025, we set out guidance to support councils as they develop reorganisation proposals that are in the best interests of their areas. This includes guidance on issues of size, sensible geographies, efficiencies and financia...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: PlanningMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered the potential implications for his policies of paragraph 31 of page 8 of the New Towns Taskforce report to Government.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102018More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to implement Recommendation 44 of the New Towns Taskforce report to Government.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: Social HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102017More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether social housing delivered through new towns will be owned by local authorities.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102016More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether stewardship models involving ongoing service charges for residents will be considered for new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: Flood ControlMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will produce guidance on reducing long term flood risk in new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: TreesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he will mandate street trees in new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: DesignMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether New Towns design codes will consider the usage of local materials.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New TownsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102012More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to recommendation 34 of the document entitled New Towns Taskforce: Report to Government, whether his Department is considering bringing forward future waves of new
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102011More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the chapter Planning for local Housing Need in his Department’s response to the New Towns Taskforce entitled Initial government response - September 2025, wheth
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: Social and Affordable Homes ProgrammeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102010More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of the Social and Affordable Housing Programme will be spent in new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: SchoolsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many school places per head he is targeting for new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: General PractitionersMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many GPs per head he is targeting for new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns: General PractitionersMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will direct Integrated Care Boards to fund GP provision in new towns in the context of the work of the New Towns Taskforce.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New Towns Taskforce: CostsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102006More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the work of the New Towns Taskforce.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
New TownsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102005More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted a lessons learned review of new settlements commenced since 2000 in the context of his plans for New Towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record

Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →