Policy Threads

24 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new towns are built with adequate mobile connectivity infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

28 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

Whilst the Government’s plan to allow all mayors of strategic authorities to charge Mayoral CIL is a welcome step towards greater fiscal devolution, the Government must go further to support local leaders with revenue raising powers to deliver infrastructure and housing. In particular, the Government should enable greater use of Tax Increment Financing—a model which has delivered successfully in London—to fund infrastructure in cities and in New Towns. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103)

Whilst the Government’s plan to allow all mayors of strategic authorities to charge Mayoral CIL is a welcome step towards greater fiscal devolution, the Government must go further to support local leaders with revenue raising powers to deliver infrastructure and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

28 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

We welcome that the Government has stated its preference for New Towns to be delivered through development corporations with powers of land assembly, under a similar model to the 20th century new towns. However, the Government has not yet announced any new direct funding for the New Towns programme, and has so far indicated that it will rely primarily on private financing from institutional investors. If the Government is to realise the full potential of the development corporation model, it ...

We welcome that the Government has stated its preference for New Towns to be delivered through development corporations with powers of land assembly, under a similar model to the 20th century new towns. However, the Government has not yet announced …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

28 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

At the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government must announce new funding to establish the development corporations, so they can commence land acquisition on the first sites without delay, and complete this work by spring 2026. The development corporations must be mandated to prioritise the delivery of homes for Social Rent within the 40% affordable homes requirement, rather than other types of affordable housing. Development corporations must be granted comprehensive planning powers and access to ...

At the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government must announce new funding to establish the development corporations, so they can commence land acquisition on the first sites without delay, and complete this work by spring 2026. The development corporations must be …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

15 May 2024 | Committee report linked

For some projects it may be more effective for an organisation outside of the project delivery team to be accountable for delivering the value from the project. On two of the projects referred to in the C&AG’s report development corporations were set up by 8 Ibid; C&AG’s Report, paras 10–12, 15, Figure 3 9 Qq 32, 44–45; Committee of Public Accounts, Use of evaluation and financial modelling in Government, Fourth Report of Session 2022–23, HC 254, 27 May 2022 10 Qq 32–37, Committee of Public A...

For some projects it may be more effective for an organisation outside of the project delivery team to be accountable for delivering the value from the project. On two of the projects referred to in the C&AG’s report development corporations …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

25 Jan 2023 | Committee report linked

Despite the collapse in revenues and the immense challenges facing those titles remaining in the market, there are many encouraging examples of innovation by local news publishers. These demonstrate that, provided the right support is given, the sector can be revived and can have a sustainable future. (Paragraph 24) Support for local news

Despite the collapse in revenues and the immense challenges facing those titles remaining in the market, there are many encouraging examples of innovation by local news publishers. These demonstrate that, provided the right support is given, the sector can be …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK