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Flags and Graffiti: Local Government

Asked by Rachael MaskellLabour (Co-op)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 12 September 2025UIN 75016

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support local authorities to (a) remove and (b) protect the safety of staff who are removing (i) graffiti and (ii) flags that have been placed without authorisation.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh

The Government supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Guidance exists, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England.

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