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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the projected annual budget of the Local Audit Office, how will it be funded, and what is the timetable for its establishment.

The Government is currently in the process of determining the details of a target operating model for the Local Audit Office, which will allow a clearer determination of its annual budget. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 has provided for the Local Audit Office to be funded through both grant-in-aid from the department and the ability to charge fees for delivering its services. The Government intends to shortly publish more detailed information on the Local Audit Office ahead of its establishment in Autumn, including expectations on its priorities and estimated budget.