I am writing this on the day when the chancellor made his Autumn Statement – a real curate's egg if ever there was one.

Districts, which are determined to play their part in accelerating housing delivery, will welcome the announcement of £1.4bn to boost the supply of much-needed affordable housing, as well as the new Housing Infrastructure Fund. They will no doubt also greet the earlier confirmation that the Government is not pursuing its pay to stay policy with some relief.