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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have requested the Government for assistance as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire; how many of those authorities have requested financial assistance in the form of increased housing revenue account borrowing capacity; and how many such authorities requesting such assistance have had their requests granted (a) in part or (b) fully.

The safety of residents should be local authorities' number one priority.

36 local authorities have been in touch with the Department in regards to fire safety funding. 10 of these have been asked to provide further information about the specifics of the building safety work required, and 4 of these 10 have returned this information.

We are in constructive discussions with these local authorities in regards to what financial flexibilities we can offer them in order for them to complete essential fire safety work to make their specific buildings safe. This might include increasing Housing Revenue Account borrowing, but we will also consider other flexibilities, including transfers from the general fund.

We have not yet completed this process for any local authority but the fact that discussions are on-going does not stop local authorities from getting on with essential fire safety works.