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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government Finance: West Surrey Council

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the debt and liability of (a) Woking and (b) Spelthorne council on the fiscal viability of the new West Surrey unitary.

Answer

It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt. Local authorities provide the Government with data on their borrowing, including source of borrowing. The data can be found at Live tables on local government finance - GOV.UK.

On 28 October 2025, we announced our unprecedented commitment to repay in-principle £500 million of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27, and we have now started this process. This commitment reflects that the council holds significant unsupported debt due to historic capital practices, and the value for money case for acting to protect taxpayers from the increasing cost of debt. This is a first tranche of debt repayment support, and we will continue to explore what further debt support is required at a later point. Any support must take account of value of money for local and national taxpayers.

We have committed to provide interim financial support to the new council until a final decision is made, and any support must take account of value for money. The Department continues to work closely with West Surrey shadow authority. On 15 July 2026, my predecessor Minister McGovern asked a new single Commissioner team across Woking and Spelthorne to work with the new councils to provide advice, challenge, and independent assurance and I encourage the shadow authority to work closely with the Commissioner team.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
20098
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Local government finance Woking Borough Council Spelthorne Borough Council West Surrey Council
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk