WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS AND PLANNING

WHAT ARE WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS?

Written Ministerial Statements are a function of Parliament which has responsibility for administering the town and country planning system in England. 

Written Ministerial Statements often accompany significant announcements being made by government on a change of policy or legislation affecting the planning system.

Such statements can be material considerations in the determination of planning applications and have a major effect upon the preparation of emerging development plans. 

They are often also made in response to written questions of MPs and Members of the House of Lords which are put to ministers seeking information on the work, policy, and activities of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG), which administers planning across England.    

Ministers may make oral or written statements to Parliament.  Written Ministerial Statements were introduced by Parliament in late 2002, in an attempt to prevent the practice of “planted” or “inspired” questions resulting in the unintended consequence of Government statements being made by a Minister without due consideration to their response.

All oral statements and any written content from before 2014 can be found in Hansard and significant Statements will be posted on our social media platforms and news blog.