Statement on Competition Appeal Tribunal Judgment
Below is a statement following the Competition Appeal Tribunal Judgment (MR AUBREY WEIS V Greater Manchester Combined Authority) on Thursday 24 July 2025.
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said:
“Today we won on every count, with the Tribunal Chair praising our approach, which has helped deliver 11,000 new homes across Greater Manchester, regenerating brownfield sites at no cost to the taxpayer and generating income which we’ve used for our wider work to tackle the housing crisis.
“Throughout this case there have been flagrant attempts to undermine our reputation through false allegations and insinuations. Today’s judgment should be the final word on the matter. It definitively debunks the false idea that loans were administered corruptly or that there was a cosy relationship between GMCA officers and developers.
“We’ve been clear from the start that all monies lent through the Housing Investment Loan Fund were offered at market rates and were therefore not a form of subsidy. Today’s ruling confirms this. The Tribunal Chair also roundly dismissed the claimant's suggestion that loans were agreed behind closed doors as “rather unreal” And he recognised our “perfectly rational” process and the robust measures we’ve put in place in administering loans – a process which incorporates independent expert advice.
“Since the Housing Investment Loans Fund was set up in 2015, we have not turned down a single viable scheme and have supported a wide variety of developers and projects – including 38 small loans offered to SME developers. There have been no defaults, with all loans repaid with interest, providing outstanding value for money for taxpayers.
“We’ve reinvested our share of the interest in supporting our housing priorities – including work to bring forward the country’s first Good Landlord Charter and training new housing enforcement officers to drive up standards for renters.
“This judgement completely vindicates the approach we’ve taken. We’re proud of the Housing Investment Loans Fund and the expert team of highly experienced professionals that administers it. We will continue to use the Housing Investment Loans Fund to unlock and accelerate regeneration work in Greater Manchester.”
For the full judgement, please use the following weblink: https://www.catribunal.org.uk/judgments/1642121324-mr-aubrey-weis-v-greater-manchester-combined-authority-judgment-2025-cat-41-24
Article Published: 24/07/2025 12:31 PM