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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the financial stability of Somerset Council.

I would like to assure my noble Friend that the Government monitors the financial health of local authorities on a regular basis using a wide range of data as well as through extensive direct engagement with councils.

We are aware of the recent concerns relating to Somerset council with regards its financial position. While individual councils are responsible for managing their budgets, the Department has been clear that we are willing to have discussions with any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.

For 2023/24, the final Local Government Finance Settlement made available up to £59.7 billion for local government in England, an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £5.1 billion or 9.4% in cash terms on 2022/23.