Lord Inglewood

The membership of the Council of the Nations and Regions is drawn from the directly elected leaders of central, devolved and local government across the UK with additional devolved powers. On 16 July 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all areas that do not have a devolution deal to invite them to come forward with a proposal. New Mayors established through this process would also be eligible to sit on the Council of the Nations and Regions. The Government is committed to working productively with local government and has established the Leaders Council to bring together other local government leaders and Ministers to identify and tackle the strategic challenges facing local government.

The Government does not collect data on annual increases in construction costs at local level. At national level, ONS data shows that the overall cost of construction, which takes into account materials, labour and overheads, has increased by 24% between December 2019 and December 2024. In addition, data published by DBT show that the cost of construction materials has increased by 37.1% between January 2020 and January 2025. Construction wage rates correspond to activity in the sector. ONS statistics show that the annual growth for regular pay in the construction sector was 6.6% in the year to December 2024.

Ofcom’s central duty is to further the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition, and having regard, amongst other things, to encouraging investment and innovation. Resultantly, Ofcom’s regulatory regime supports the drivers of economic growth in the markets they regulate, and the impact of this on these sectors can be seen, for example, in how the telecoms market has grown 25% in the last ten years.

The current statement of Strategic Priorities for Telecommunications, Spectrum Management and Postal Services was designated in 2019. The digital landscape and market conditions have changed significantly since then, and we are currently updating the Statement to respond to these changes and set out the Government’s key priorities for these sectors that support Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.

The British Council's Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the British Council's financial sustainability.

The Government highly values the British Council as a UK soft power asset and is committed to working with the British Council to ensure its financial sustainability. The FCDO is exploring all options with the British Council and the Treasury to ensure this.

Forecast costs of £138.8m for completion of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre were published on 28 June 2023 in a Written Ministerial Statement UIN HLWS875. Within that total figure, as the Statement makes clear, £91.3m relates to construction costs.

The construction and exhibition cost estimates, including inflation rates in those sectors, are based on advice from cost consultants Aecom (construction) and Greenways (exhibition). The forecast also includes programme staff and contractors, design and operational set-up costs and the cost of the planning inquiry.

A revised estimate of construction costs will be prepared following the receipt of tenders for the Main Works contract.

Operating costs, which will be incurred after the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre is built, are currently estimated to be between £6.5m and £8.5m per year.