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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement, 9 September 2026, HCWS322, on Driving Opportunity in Every Postcode, whether the socio-economic duty will apply to decisions on the Local Government Finance Settlement.

The Socio-Economic Duty will not apply to decisions until such time when it has been commenced. A full list of public bodies subject to the SED will be published upon commencement.

We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively.