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 31 March 2026 to Question 123457 on Local Government and Voluntary Organisations: Social Impact Bonds, whether his Department consulted the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport on whether cancelling Essex's inaugural 2026 mayoral election would lead to less funding opportunities for Essex with regards to the Better Futures Fund.

The Government has decided to delay – not cancel – inaugural mayoral elections in places like Essex, which are undertaking local government reorganisation, to allow that process to conclude and ensure there are firm institutional foundations in place before the mayor takes office. We are nevertheless seeking to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities in these areas ahead of this and as quickly as possible.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Better Futures Fund provides adequate coverage across England and we expect this will include appropriate opportunities for local authorities not currently covered by a Mayoral Strategic Authority, as well as Mayoral Strategic Authorities that are yet to hold inaugural mayoral elections, to apply for funding.