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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2024 to Question 11923 on Levelling Up Fund: Tamworth Borough Council, if any officials from his Department were involved in the drafting of the press release relating to this visit entitled Levelling Up Minister visits Tamworth to mark High Street development progress with Eddie Hughes MP.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 16976 on 7 March 2024.

I wish to be clear with the Hon Member once more. My visit to Tamworth was a political visit. It was arranged through political channels.

I notified the Hon Member ahead of visiting her constituency as per parliamentary protocols.

Furthermore, she should note that the cost of answering a written ministerial question has previously been estimated to be in region of £150. I have so far answered multiple questions on this subject.

To put it in perspective, the train ticket I purchased to visit Tamworth (at no cost to the taxpayer) cost £5.60.

If the honourable lady would like to meet me to discuss any of these matters further, at a far cheaper cost to the taxpayer, I am happy to facilitate such a meeting.

But I would prefer to discuss how this Government can level up all parts of this great country, including of course Tamworth.