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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the criteria for the allocation of £91m funding for 14 out of 35 councils in receipt of exceptional financial support in 2026/27.

In September, the government announced £91m to accelerate local councils’ transformation plans in areas such as homelessness, adult social care, children’s services and SEND.

This investment reflects a turning point in how the government intends to support councils to manage their financial position, with an emphasis on long-term prevention over short-term fixes. It also provides an opportunity to build evidence on the types of service reform that can improve financial sustainability in authorities facing acute pressures.

On 15 September, the government issued a Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS347) to provide an update on its approach to Exceptional Financial Support in 2026-27, including further background and detail on the objectives of the new £91m grant to support targeted transformation in 14 local councils.