Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 113631, on West Yorkshire Combined Authority: Lexington Communications, and of 12 March 2026, to Question 117739, on Local Government: Lobbying, if the departmental Accounting Officer will undertake an assessment of whether departmental funding to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is being spent in a manner which is compliant with HM Treasury guidance of Managing Public Money by hiring a lobbying firm to lobby the government.

MHCLG is not aware of West Yorkshire Combined Authority breaching any grant conditions in relation to funds it provides. Mayoral Strategic Authorities are expected to follow the existing principles and processes described in the English Devolution Accountability Framework and Scrutiny Protocol, which sets out how Mayors will be held to account by central government, at local level and by the public. This includes a duty to ensure value for money.