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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure local authorities are able to co-operate to improve the effectiveness of the planning system.

My Department is keen to support local authorities in achieving positive outcomes from their discussions on cross boundary strategic planning issues. We will strengthen guidance to improve the operation of the Duty to Cooperate. We are also responding to places that seek to take action jointly such as in Manchester where the Mayor will take on strategic planning powers.