Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to extend the flexible use of capital receipts to include (a) pensions and (b) voluntary redundancies.

I am aware that the previous government consulted on options to extend freedoms for local authorities to use capital resources and borrowing to address budget pressures as well as other measures. This government will need to carefully consider the options available to support local authorities. The government is aware that current flexible use of capital receipts direction is due to end and intends to update the sector in due course. It is important that all decisions are consistent with putting the sector on an ongoing, sustainable financial footing.