Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Public Services in Cornwall: Funding

15 January 2024 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay

EducationHousingLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Steve Double raised concerns about public services in cornwall: funding in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Cornwall's unique geography and low-income economy pose challenges in delivering public services, including high costs for emergency services and public transportation.
  • Steve Double stresses the necessity for funding to reflect local service demand and delivery costs, particularly in remote areas like Cornwall.
  • The Minister highlights government support through a 64.1 billion local government finance settlement for 2024-25, with Cornwall set to receive a nearly 7% increase in core spending power.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay

Cornwall's unique geography, low-income economy, high house prices, and challenges in delivering public services are discussed. Steve Double emphasises the need for funding to be based on service demand and local cost of delivery. He highlights Cornwall's remoteness and its impact on emergency services and public transportation costs. Special educational needs funding is also mentioned as a challenge.

Other contributors (2)
  • Cherilyn Mackrory Con Truro and Falmouth

    Mackrory adds local examples to Steve Double's points, discussing challenges in remote areas such as Holywell bay and the Roseland peninsula. She also highlights Cornwall’s low special educational needs funding compared to London boroughs.

  • Derek Thomas Con St Ives

    Thomas supports the shared prosperity fund but emphasises the need for fair funding formula implementation, especially regarding rural service delivery grants and addressing underfunding issues in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. He calls for increased use of the rural services delivery grant to address shortfalls.

Government Response

Gareth Davies

Davies acknowledges inflationary challenges and highlights government support through funding increases, including a £64.1 billion local government finance settlement for 2024-25, with Cornwall receiving an almost 7% increase in core spending power. He mentions the rural services delivery grant, coastal communities freeports initiative, UK shared prosperity fund allocation to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, transportation investments like the Mid Cornwall Metro project, level 2 devolution deal for Cornwall, policing funding adjustments based on population sparsity, affordable housing initiatives, and special educational needs reforms.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy