The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a building control practice guidance for local authorities, registered building control approvers (RBCAs), and persons carrying out building work, addressing how they may act regarding the cancellation of initial notices in various circumstances, where building work might revert to a local authority or where another RBCA is appointed after the initial notice of the original RBCA has been cancelled.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2026, made under the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, SI 2015/595. The Direction requires local planning authorities (LPAs) to consult the Secretary of State before refusing planning permission for developments comprising 150 or more houses or flats, where the application has not been determined before 11 May 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published non-statutory guidance, providing a comprehensive overview of the application and implementation of High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs), a new power introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The guidance outlines the 22-24 week HSRA process, from initiation to completion, detailing the necessary steps, including the designation of eligible areas and meeting vacancy and local benefit conditions. It is intended for use by local authorities concerned about vacant commercial premises, commercial landlords and their lenders, businesses and community groups seeking commercial space, and commercial agents who may manage a HSRA on behalf of a local authority.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the outcome of its consultation on future social housing rent policy. This publication was accompanied by the result of a separate consultation on Social Rent convergence. The consultation sought views on a draft Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing regarding rent policy effective from 1 April 2026. Exercising powers under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (HRA 2008), the proposed Direction would require the Regulator to establish regulatory standards on rents applicable to registered providers of social housing.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has published ‘A National Plan to End Homelessness’, which sets out new parliamentary targets in England including eliminating unlawful bed and breakfast use for families and halving long-term rough sleeping. The plan commits £3.5bn for homelessness and rough sleeping services from 2026/27 to 2028/29, consolidating funding streams into new grants including the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant. The government will introduce a new ‘duty to collaborate’ for key public services to prevent homelessness and establish cross-government targets to reduce institutional discharge into homelessness from prisons, hospitals and care settings. Councils will be required to publish action plans with local targets aligned to new Outcomes Framework metrics. Additional measures include £124m investment in supported housing services for over 2,500 people and reforms to funding arrangements that separate temporary accommodation costs from prevention funding to encourage early intervention approaches.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its response to the 2025 technical consultation on planning committee reform alongside a newly launched consultation on draft regulations and guidance, marking the next stage in its efforts to modernise planning decision-making and support housing delivery. The response confirms the policy direction following stakeholder feedback, while the new consultation seeks views on how the reforms should operate in practice before being finalised. The consultation closes on 23 April 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published notices under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 designating nine local planning authorities (LPAs), namely Cherwell District Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Epping Forest District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Rossendale Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Wychavon District Council, for the quality of their decision making on applications for planning permission for major development. The designations took effect at 9:00am on 15 June 2026 and will remain in force until revoked. The nine simultaneous designations represent a substantial increase in the number of authorities subject to designation, with the total number of LPAs currently designated rising from one, following Lewes District Council’s designation in May 2024, to ten.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its policy document outlining the implementation framework for Integrated Settlements. The settlements provide Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) with devolved funding to address local priorities while aligning with national objectives. The guidance sets out eligibility criteria for MSAs, defines the scope and allocation process for funding during Spending Review periods using agreed formulae and specifies that MSAs must deliver agreed outcomes through a formal outcomes’ framework. Governance arrangements include a Programme Board, dispute resolution mechanisms and provisions for addressing underperformance. MSAs are given flexibility to reallocate funds within and across themes, subject to defined limits, to ensure the effective use of resources. The policy also establishes spending controls, risk management measures and evaluation processes to maintain value for money and transparency.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a policy paper proposing options for a brownfield passport. The paper seeks views on actions the government could take through the planning system to support and accelerate the development of brownfield land in urban areas. It includes proposals aimed at providing clarity on the principle, scale, and form of brownfield development, with a view to lowering the risk, cost, and uncertainty associated with obtaining planning permissions. These proposals form part of the government’s 'brownfield first' approach to development. These options will be discussed with key stakeholders before consulting on specific proposals and implementing new policies. The government has also announced plans to support and expedite the approval of urban sites, such as car parks.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has published a policy paper summarising feedback on interim plans for local government reorganisation in England. On 5 February 2025, Jim McMahon OBE MP invited council leaders from 21 two-tier areas to submit proposals by 21 March 2025, all of which were submitted and collated by the Local Government Association. Feedback was provided to guide the development of final proposals, which must meet criteria such as establishing single-tier governance, achieving efficiency, ensuring high-quality public services, fostering community engagement, and supporting devolution. Challenges like funding reform, maintaining local services, and ensuring strong community voices were identified. The government emphasised collaboration, evidence-based proposals, and alignment with devolution goals, while providing support through financial contributions, workshops, and sector support groups to help councils create sustainable and effective governance structures.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has published a policy statement detailing the government’s vision for a new generation of new towns. To implement and support the new towns programme, the government has established a new independent New Towns Taskforce. The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has appointed Sir Michael Lyons as the Taskforce Chair, supported by Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker. The role of the Taskforce will be to advise ministers on appropriate locations for new towns, seeking to deliver a final report of recommendations within 12 months. It will also collaborate with mayors, local leaders and communities to advise on appropriate locations for new towns.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a policy paper setting out how it will collect and use data to monitor the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025) on England’s private rented sector. The MHCLG states that the strategy is intended to improve understanding of how the reforms are affecting renters, landlords, agents and local authorities, particularly in areas including security, affordability, housing quality and enforcement. The government says existing housing and landlord surveys will be expanded to include new measures linked to the RRA 2025, alongside additional data from the planned private rented sector (PRS) Database, PRS Ombudsman, local authorities, courts and tribunals. The MHCLG also confirms that the impact of the RRA 2025 will be evaluated between 2025 and 2031, with findings due to be published in 2028 and 2031.