Written questions by McDonald.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned analysis of the fiscal implications of restoring pay to its 2008 inflation-adjusted value for (a) local government and (b) s

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce restrictions on the use of enforcement agents for council tax debt in cases where households are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, are identified

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of capped council tax liability order costs on low income households, and whether he is considering exemptions or reductions f

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review Council Tax Reduction schemes, minimum payment policies and the overall affordability of council tax for low income households.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned analysis of the fiscal implications of restoring pay to its 2008 inflation-adjusted value for (a) local government and (b) s

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what protections will be put in place for households already in council tax arrears to prevent escalation action while they engage with their local authority to agree sustainable

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, how he will ensure consistent application of council tax enforcement reforms across local authorities, including minimum standards on affordable repayment offers and advice signp

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that statutory pre-enforcement requirements for council tax debt include mandatory affordability checks, vulnerability identificatio

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the real-terms value of (a) local government and (b) school support staff pay under the National Joint Council (NJC) arrangements compa

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken comparative modelling of the costs of financing infrastructure supporting new towns through (a) private investment arrangements and (b) dire

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme. We are currently analysing the feedb...

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the estimated lifetime cost to the public sector of financing infrastructure supporting new towns through private investmen

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme. We are currently analysing the feedb...

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department intends to publish any assessment comparing the costs of alternative financing models for infrastructure supporting new towns.

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme. We are currently analysing the feedb...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the governance arrangements between Tees Valley Combined Authority and South Tees Development Corporation, under the Best Value Notice process.

Governance and finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. We set out clearly that the Best Value Notice for Tees Valley Combined Authority will be reviewed after 12 months. Any decisions on the Notice will be based on a holistic judgement of all available information, including considered engagement with the authority about progress against its improvement plan.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the advice the Independent Advisory Board has provided on managing conflicts between borrowing and lending functions to a) Tees Valley Combined Authority and b) South Tees Development Corporation.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s improvement board is independent and appointed by the authority. As part of the Best Value Notice, the Department engages regularly with the Board for updates and broader assurance that the necessary progress is being made. The Board also reports publicly on its findings to the combined authority’s Cabinet.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of consecutive disclaimed audit opinions for Tees Valley Combined Authority accounts and the improvement requirements of the Best Value Notice process.

Audit opinions and compliance with the statutory audit requirements are an important part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value. The Best Value Notice issued to Tees Valley Combined Authority sets clear expectations for the authority to comply with its external auditor’s recommendations, including delivering sustained improvement in financial governance, capacity and use of resources.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made regarding the potential implications for his policies of revenue-backed lending arrangements for Best Value assessments.

Finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. In making borrowing decisions, authorities must comply with legislation and have regard to statutory guidance to ensure that all borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable, and in compliance with their Best Value Duty. Under the current system, local authorities have wide freedoms to borrow and invest as they are best placed to determine their own capital strategies to meet the needs of local residents. Under statute, all borrowing is secured indifferently on the authority's revenues.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of loan documentation between Tees Valley Combined Authority and South Tees Development Corporation.

Governance and finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. We set out clearly that the Best Value Notice for Tees Valley Combined Authority will be reviewed after 12 months. Any decisions on the Notice will be based on a holistic judgement of all available information, including considered engagement with the authority about progress against its improvement plan.

Communities and Local Government, if the Department will consult a) constituent local authorities, and b) local Members of Parliament regarding the performance of Tees Valley Combined Authority, in relation to its Best Value Notice process.

Through the Best Value Notice process, the Department has engaged extensively with the combined authority, its constituent authorities, government departments, the Independent Advisory Board and the external auditor to understand views and track progress against the Notice. The evidence provided by key local and national stakeholders remain a crucial part of the Best Value Notice process.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce (a) the duration of stays in temporary accommodation and (b) the use of out-of-area placements for households from Middlesbrough and Thornaby East.

The Government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics which is available on gov.uk here. We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements and reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation. We have also increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion in 2025/26 to support local authorities to deliver homelessness services. This includes a £10.9 million top up announced last month to support households in the worst forms of temporary accommodation, such as bed & breakfast or out of area accommodation. We are publishing a cross-Government homelessness strategy later this year that will get us back on track to ending homelessness.

Communities and Local Government, how many households owed a homelessness duty by (a) Middlesbrough Council and (b) Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council were placed in temporary accommodation (i) within the local authority area, (ii) elsewhere in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area and (iii) outside that area in each of the last three years; and what information his Department holds on the distance from the placing authority area in such cases.

The Government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics which is available on gov.uk here. We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements and reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation. We have also increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion in 2025/26 to support local authorities to deliver homelessness services. This includes a £10.9 million top up announced last month to support households in the worst forms of temporary accommodation, such as bed & breakfast or out of area accommodation. We are publishing a cross-Government homelessness strategy later this year that will get us back on track to ending homelessness.