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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to refund local authorities following the decision to increase national insurance contributions from employers.

Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax, which is why the government are asking employers to contribute more. The Government has committed to provide support for the public sector employers for additional employer national insurance contributions costs. This applies to those directly employed by the public sector, including local government. We will set out further details at the provisional Settlement in December.