Written questions by Byrne.

Communities and Local Government, what his proposed timetable is for establishing a West Midlands mayoral development company for east Birmingham.

I understand that the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has agreed on 17 October 2025, the intention to create Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) in East Birmingham by Autumn 2026. WMCA is planning to carry out public consultation in early 2026 ahead of submitting a formal notification to the Secretary of State to establish the MDC in summer 2026. Under the Localism Act 2011, Mayors have the powers to designate Mayoral Development Areas (MDAs) and once the Secretary of State receives a notification per section 197(6) of the 2011 Act, he must by order establish an MDC for the area designated by the Mayor. I look forward to working with the Mayor on this important growth initiative.

Communities and Local Government, what the planned funding allocations for (a) Birmingham City Council and (b) Solihull Borough Council are in each year for which figures are available.

As part of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement on 18 December 2024 the government published the latest Core Spending Power figures which are available here.Included within the tables are figures for allocations dating back to 2015. Due to changes in the function and financing of local government, comparable data is not available prior to 2015-16.Funding allocations from future settlements are subject to the outcome of future Spending Reviews. The government is committed to providing a multi-year funding settlement starting in 2026-27.

Communities and Local Government, what annual forecast she has made of the number of new social homes to be built in Birmingham and Solihull.

The government is committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.We will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme at the Spending Review.This new investment will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Communities Opportunities Fund has been abolished.

The Chancellor’s July ‘Public Spending: Inheritance’ speech set out the state of the UK’s spending inheritance from the previous Government. In this context, the Chancellor has set out a path to confirming plans for this year and next at the forthcoming B...