Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Government’s response to its 2025 public consultation on (a) strengthening local government standards and (b) addressing misconduct and bullying by town and parish councillors will be published.  [118678]

[Due for Answer on 12 March]

ANSWER

The Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern): The Government published its response to the consultation “Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England” in November 2025. The response sets out the Government’s intention to introduce measures including a mandatory Code of Conduct for councillors and strengthened oversight of the local government standards regime. We intend to legislate on local government standards reforms when parliamentary time allows.