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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with representatives of St Helens Council on preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

My Department is ensuring that councils have the necessary information to prepare effectively and that there are opportunities to raise and address specific local questions and concerns. I have asked every council to designate a Brexit Lead Officer who will oversee local preparations for Brexit and act as a contact point between the government and local areas. All 354 councils quickly designated a Brexit Lead Officer and the department is using them to share information, guidance and advice.

There has been extensive engagement with the sector, including a series of events for all councils, a monthly meeting between the Secretary of State and council leaders, a monthly teleconference with all Chief Executives and Brexit Lead Officers, and weekly dialogue with a network of nine Chief Executives who represent their regions on Brexit. There are also regular mailouts, bulletins and dedicated web pages to bring together relevant information, advice and guidance on Brexit from across Whitehall.