The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the government's response to the outcome for the consultation on the local audit backlog in England. The consultation aimed to gather feedback on revising the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, SI 2015/234, proposals for setting a deadline to clear the backlog of unaudited accounts for financial years up to 2022-23 as well as deadlines for the next five financial years to help improve the local audit system. This follows the backlog of unpublished audited accounts for local bodies, flagged by the Minister for Local Government in July 2023. The consultation ran from 8 February 2024 to 7 March 2024. The government has split its response into three phases (reset, recovery and reform). The government has also confirmed that it will further consult on changes to SI 2015/234, the National Audit Office's Code of Audit Practice and the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has received representations from Nottingham City Council, submitted by its Leader, regarding proposed Directions under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 (LGA 1999) and the future governance of the Council’s improvement programme. The Council accepted the Secretary of State’s assessment that further assurance and targeted support are required to sustain progress, particularly in continuous improvement and service delivery, and supported ending the Commissioner-led intervention in favour of a more proportionate model. It endorsed the introduction of Ministerial Envoys as a lighter-touch mechanism but sought clarity on their role, requested involvement in their selection, and raised concerns about the cost burden on local taxpayers.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a report examining the proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (including microbusinesses) in the construction products sector and how government can communicate more effectively with them, particularly regarding planned construction product regime reform. The report highlights significant engagement challenges. Inconsistent definitions and data classifications mean many SMEs—especially microbusinesses, which make up 76% of the sector—are effectively ‘hidden’ within the supply chain. SMEs face barriers including information overload, complex guidance and limited time and resources. Experts recommend testing alternative communication methods, clearly emphasising compliance benefits and consequences, adopting targeted regional approaches and improving two-way communication, which remains particularly difficult for SMEs.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has reported on the Deputy Prime Minister’s (PM) opening speech at the Local Government Association Councillors’ Forum. Deputy PM, Angela Rayner spoke about resetting central and local government relations and promoting devolution in England. Rayner has said that Labour will redefine its relationship with local governments and reconstruct its foundations. The Deputy PM has promised reforms for reliable services and long-term funding stability. Rayner has noted that the English Devolution Bill will give local leaders more control over skills, transport, housing and jobs and that Labour has promised to build 1.5 million affordable new homes to tackle homelessness. Rayner has concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to working closely with local authorities, supporting essential services and prioritizing the needs of working people.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has reported on the continuation of delivering devolution across the country, with an aim to deliver full devolution across the North. MHCLG has confirmed that the government will prioritise remaining Northern areas which have not yet benefitted from greater autonomy and help create agreements tailored to their needs. Four new devolution deals have been progressed for ⁠Hull and East Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, ⁠Lancashire, ⁠Devon and Torbay. The government is also investing in two investment zones, focusing on advanced manufacturing in the West Midlands and ⁠life sciences in West Yorkshire.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published two letters from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, addressed to local authority leaders, mayors, chief executives and wider stakeholders. The letters set out reforms intended to accelerate housebuilding and economic growth through a clearer, faster and more rules-based planning system, including a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), whose decision-making policies take immediate effect. The NPPF separates plan-making and decision-making, expands the ‘default yes’ approach around well-connected stations to the 80 highest-value Travel to Work Areas, supports increased housing densities and residential expansion, recognises strategic sites of around 1,500 homes or more, and clarifies policies on local standards, telecommunications, community facilities and Protected Landscapes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced the deadlines for submitting responses to four planning reform working papers. The deadlines are as follows: 21 February 2025 for both the development and nature recovery and planning committees working papers, 26 February 2025 for the streamlining infrastructure planning working paper, and 28 February 2025 for the brownfield passport working paper.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a speech by Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook MP outlining the government’s vision to end the feudal leasehold system, which he said is blighting lives and causing acute financial hardship for millions of leaseholders through service charges, ground rents and associated fees. He set out plans to make commonhold the default tenure, ban leasehold for new flats and cap ground rents, while also strengthening protections for existing leaseholders as part of wider reforms to the residential property market.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its Funding Simplification Doctrine guidance, strengthening expectations on central government departments when designing new funding for local authorities. Departments should start from the presumption that new funding will be delivered through existing programmes and allocative approaches, unless they can provide an evidenced justification for establishing a standalone or competitive fund. They must also test proposed delivery models and fund designs with councils and/or local authority associations and align monitoring and data requirements with existing arrangements to minimise unnecessary administrative burdens. The Doctrine applies to in-scope new funds made available exclusively to local authorities, although the Local Government Finance Settlement and funding for certain statutory services, including schools, social care, policing, fire and rescue services and public health, remain excluded. MHCLG will assess whether the Doctrine has been properly considered, with its assessment forming a material consideration in departmental and HM Treasury funding approval decisions.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has taken over Ministerial responsibility for all fire functions from the Home Office. This transfer implements a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report, published on 4 September 2024, which called for fire and building safety oversight to be consolidated under a single department. The Minister for Building Safety and Local Growth, Alex Norris, will oversee these newly transferred responsibilities. The Home Office will retain management of the Airwave Service Contract and continue to oversee the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and HM’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a significant increase in the Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding, tripling it from £10m to £30m. This emergency funding will be distributed to over 280 councils to provide immediate support for rough sleepers during winter. The measure is part of a broader strategy to address homelessness, including a £1b investment in prevention services, £37m for the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Group to develop a long-term cross-departmental approach. Additionally, the government is progressing with the Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 'no fault' evictions and has implemented reforms to the Right to Buy scheme. These initiatives form part of the government's Plan for Change, aimed at tackling the housing crisis and ending homelessness.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated Approved Document B to introduce guidance on second stairs and evacuation lifts in taller residential buildings.