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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Thurrock Council on the services it provides for asylum seekers.

For Thurrock, the final Settlement represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to 6.9% - making available a total of up to £178.2 million in 2025-26. For Basildon, Core Spending Power is increasing by up to 1.5%, making available a total of up to £27.9 million in 2025-26. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.