Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) support and (b) guidance his Department provides to local authorities on parental leave for local councillors; and if he will make a statement.

I have met both the Fawcett Society and the Local Government Association to discuss this issue and am keen to explore why some councils have felt able to provide for parental leave and others have not. I will also be examining what other actions could be taken which would have a positive impact on the gender balance and diversity of councillors.