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Michael Gove, Secretary of State, questioned by Levelling Up Committee on financial distress in local authorities

5 December 2023

On Wednesday afternoon, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee will question Michael Gove, Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, on financial distress in local authorities.

The cross-party group of MPs are also likely to take the opportunity to ask the Secretary of State questions on other parts of the portfolio, including private renters and leasehold reform.

The Committee have today published letters from the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) on the impact of the Autumn Statement on local government finances.

Last week, Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee wrote to Secretary of State Michael Gove to highlight a range of concerns relating to the financial health of councils in England, following a recent series of Committee evidence sessions on financial distress in local authorities.

The Chair’s letter to the Secretary of State highlights concerns on the gap in funding to local councils and on key service pressures such as on the provision of social care, children’s services, and homelessness.

Witnesses

From 16.00

  • Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
  • Nico Heslop, Director, Local Government at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
  • Joanna Key, Director General, Regeneration at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Further information

Image credit: Elspeth Keep/UK Parliament