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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether the £1.5 billion announced in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 to regenerate underused land will go directly to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

The £1.5 billion funding announced at Spending Review will help to regenerate communities and level up the country, unlocking homes on derelict and underused land and delivering transport links and community facilities.

The processes around how this funding will be allocated, and the criteria against funding requests will be considered, are currently in development. Further details on how to access the funding will be provided, but in the meantime we continue to encourage local authorities to engage with Homes England where they have schemes which unlock housing supply and support local growth opportunities.