𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Angela Rayner stands accused of being dishonest with the British public over changes to planning rules, which critics claim will lead to more traveller sites. Opposition politicians slammed proposals to reform planning regulations, saying that they favoured travelling communities.

Under new plans announced by the Government, it has been reported that hundreds of new sites could be opened to facilitate traveller camps. James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, told Ms Rayner: “The Labour Government [is] being dishonest with the public”. He added: “You are creating a two-tier planning system, where special treatment is given to certain groups due to human rights and equality laws.”

Mr Cleverly claimed that the planning system was being “stacked against law-abiding residents who believe in fair play and follow the rules, in favour of sprawling traveller caravan development on precious green spaces.”

In a letter sent to his government counterpart, Mr Cleverly reminded ministers that civil servants “must not ‘knowingly mislead’ and must set out facts ‘truthfully’.”

He added: “Your department should not be using taxpayer-funded resources to peddle untrue statements about the actions of the Labour Government.”

And he accused the Government of reinstating rules originally imposed by John Prescott, a former Labour Local Government Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.

However, Ms Rayner, the Housing Secretary, said he is “scaremongering” and “spreading fake news designed to stir up tensions in local communities”.

She did not comment on the specific claims made in the letter.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) insisted that there has been no weakening of the rules around traveller sites, and that it is “misleading” to suggest otherwise. Ms Rayner returned to cabinet after being appointed by Andy Burnham, despite having previously left the role amid a scandal over her taxes.

Conservatives argue that the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has now revoked a number of policies introduced by the previous Conservative government that restrict traveller sites.

They include instructions on local planning authorities to “strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside” and the assertion that sites should not “dominate the nearest settled community” in rural areas.

They also say that references to the fact that traveller sites should limit environmental damage have been removed, as well as the position that traveller sites in the green belt are an “inappropriate development”.

An MHCLG spokesperson said: “The Government is cracking down on illegal traveller sites and it is completely misleading to suggest otherwise.

“Our new planning rules explicitly tackle any potential environmental damage and transport impacts, and make it harder for people to get retrospective permission for development that were built without approval.

“We’re also building the homes the country needs while ensuring Green Belt land is strongly safeguarded.”