Writing in advance of the local government settlement for 2017-18, I have been wondering what the Autumn Statement tells us about the Government’s numbers and priorities.

Eight months and 13 days: the time between the consultation on changes to New Homes Bonus ending and the Autumn Statement, yet still silence from the Department for Communities and Local Government on what will happen.

This is unacceptably slow when – like it or not – the bonus is an important part of many councils’ revenue budgets for front-line services. I suspect more of the bonus will be diverted in shire county areas to pay for social care. Let’s hope that any change doesn’t undermine the incentive for district councils to plan for housing growth. The secretary of state has made clear that housing is his number one priority.