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As the contract ends, obviously, the costs increase as well. Can anyone else share their comments on PPP?

On council tax, which we have touched on, have you made any assessment of how many people have been managing to pay their council tax during the cost of living crisis and the impact of arrears? Have you considered how the freeze will prevent some families from getting into arrears again?

That is interesting, given that everyone is struggling. It does not really matter what your income is now with the cost of living crisis that we face.

Do you want to add something, Professor Hall? [Interruption.]

I remind the committee of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I was a councillor until 2022.

Do the witnesses agree with the three shared priorities that are identified in the Verity house agreement?

I will go to witnesses who are online. Professor Hall, will you share your views?

We can certainly come back to you on that, but I am not aware of whether there has been, to be honest. I know that local government consults its constituents regularly, but I am not sure about whether it has consulted on the priorities.

Jonathan Carr-West, do you want to come in?

The 2007 concordat between local government and central Government was not sustained. Why was there no longevity to it? What needs to be in place for the Verity house agreement?

I put the same question to you, Professor Gallagher.