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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate his Department has made of the costs incurred by councils which have expressed interest in applying to become investment zones.

We are assessing the proposals received through the recent Expression Of Interest process. Policy announcements will be made in the usual way. Individual authorities responding to the Expression of Interest will be able to confirm time spent on preparation of submission.