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Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 12700

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with (a) the Metropolitan Police, (b) London boroughs and (c) the Mayor of London on the video booths being placed in Parliament Square and on Westminster Bridge; and whether local authorities have sufficient powers to remove them.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Metropolitan Police, London boroughs or the Mayor of London about the video booths in question.

Where such booths require planning permission and this has not been sought, local planning authorities already have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance.

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