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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 58 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, what plans she has to include (a) parish and (b) town councils in (i) consultations and (ii) subsequent work by her Department on moving towards simpler administrative structures for local areas; and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of her Department's consultation with such councils on those plans as of 18 November 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of town and parish councils for the role they play in empowering the communities they represent. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is involved in regular engagement with the sector.