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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking help local authorities respond to the effects of increases in inflation.

At the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a substantial package of taxpayer support for local government, including new funding for adult social care. This follows a significant increase in funding for recent years, including an additional £3.7 billion in taxpayer subsidy via the 2022-23 local government finance settlement.

We are aware of the challenges of inflation within the local government sector and, along with the continued welcome transformation and efficient work that Councils are undertaking, we will continue to work closely with them on this issue.