Local Government Finance 2025-12-17

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The MP asked about the impact of rising taxes on local councils dealing with economic pressures. He criticised the settlement for punishing efficiency, introducing new hospitality taxes, and implementing a homes tax that costs the Treasury money.

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The Minister mentioned that the Government will be looking at the council tax freeze in some areas, and at lifting referendum principles. Can the Minister provide a clear timeline for when councils will receive certainty on the SEND deficit?

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Can the Minister provide a clear timeline for when councils will receive certainty on the SEND deficit?

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When does the Minister expect to be able to set out more detail on how councils will be supported to reduce the need for temporary accommodation and to bring the costs down?

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What this proposed settlement will do specifically to address higher costs of delivering services in rural areas?

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The Minister said she did not want to look the other way, but rural communities are being overlooked. Given that rurality has been removed from formula decisions except for adult social care, can she explain how areas like Buckinghamshire will be properly funded?

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I welcome the Minister’s comments about tackling deprivation but challenge her on council tax reform and long-term changes to social care funding. Can she start conversations across parties for a long-term settlement?

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Given Westmorland and Furness’ unique situation as England’s most rural council with high social care needs, can the Minister meet me to discuss a solution for our 13% budget cut over three years?

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Can the Minister provide more information on what this settlement means for Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, and when councils will get certainty about the future of the statutory override?

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Can the Minister reassure constituents that prudence and good decision-making by local councils will not be penalised under local government reorganisation?

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Welwyn Hatfield will benefit from a £9 million increase. Will the Minister guarantee that need after housing costs will continue to be a key part of assessing deprivation?

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Could the Minister describe what percentage the remoteness element will represent for places like Devon and North Devon district council?

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Does the Minister agree that only Labour can be trusted to invest in Birmingham given our eight-year fight for fair funding?

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Welcomes the shift to multi-year funding settlements but expresses concern about continued funding reductions for North Herefordshire and Herefordshire council, urging recognition of additional costs due to rurality.

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Questions whether the new formula will ensure Bradford, one of the most deprived areas, receives its fair share.

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Asks if Labour is involved with Reform to increase council tax by 10%, as reported.

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Invites the Minister to visit Hammersmith and Fulham council, which has made significant savings despite facing substantial funding cuts under the Tories.

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Welcomes Torbay council's achievement of a 'good' rating from CQC but raises concerns about funding losses for adult social care.

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Welcomes the link between local government funding and deprivation, asking how it will benefit children in Luton.

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Questions the Minister's confidence that rural deprivation will be adequately addressed.

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Asks for a commitment to work on anomalies in Trafford council's funding formula.

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Raises concern about Teignbridge receiving a negative change in this year’s settlement while Devon sees an increase.

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Criticises the Conservative government's budget cuts in Hartlepool, urging recognition of their impact.

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Raises concern over the fair funding formula's potential negative impact on London councils and those living in poverty.

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Asked if the Government has protected tier 1 local authorities from real-term cuts, honoured their commitment to a new fair funding formula by removing the recovery grant, and how they expect local authorities to afford dedicated schools grant deficits accrued up to 31 March 2028.

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Welcomed the settlement and asked if she would meet them to talk about encouraging councils to build homes at the same rate as Milton Keynes.

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Asked if she accepted additional cost pressures are linked to geography and sparsity, and what steps were being taken to support large rural councils such as Somerset.

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Asked for a timeline on funding that will do much to improve local services for local residents in Colchester.

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Asked why Stockport council missed out on the recovery grant and whether it opens up legal challenges.

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Asked if the Government would invest additional funding to support growth due to planning permission for Universal Studios theme park.

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Asked if she would provide exceptional financial support to get through the difficult period, work with MPs to ensure Shropshire council is put on a secure financial footing for the future.

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Asked if the Minister confirmed this is a Labour Government sending the message that Kettering deserves its fair share.

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Asked if she would commit herself to working with the Department for Education to introduce a cap on charges and profits for specialist schools.

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Asked what changes mean for her local area, whether she would come to Medway to meet them and discuss how they can take on some of those other issues.

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Asked if she would meet them, along with other local Members, to discuss issues regarding bespoke arrangements for the Council of Isles of Scilly.

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The Conservatives blame councils for being poor despite overseeing 14 years of austerity and underfunding. Peterborough city council will receive £65 million more by 2028-29, which is a life-changer for many people. How can this money be used to transform communities?

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The multi-year settlement did not refer to pressures facing rural areas. Issues like SEND, care, bus services, and bin collections are more expensive due to the longer road network in Devon. Using deprivation as a funding formula does not account for older populations or hidden pockets of deep deprivation. Will hidden pockets of deprivation be recognised?

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Welcoming the settlement that puts fairness at the heart of local government funding, John thanked the Minister for increased funding for Warwickshire. He noted there is not a single Reform UK MP in the Chamber and asked if this indicates Reform does not take local government seriously.

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Welcoming the multi-year funding settlement, Lisa mentioned Stockport's concerns about being worse off despite having one of the most deprived parts of Greater Manchester. They missed out on a recovery grant by 0.01%. Will the Minister meet to work out how to ensure vulnerable constituents are not unduly impacted?

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Welcoming the multi-year settlement, Steve thanked Alison for engagement on local areas. Devon county council is set to get a significant uplift in funding over years. Will this increase in funding have a positive impact on services and local people?

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Between 2015-2020, the Conservative Government cut Bracknell Forest council’s funding by £500,000. This settlement sees a rise of almost £10 million—an increase of over 7%. Does my hon. Friend agree that this shows Labour will invest in local services while Conservatives choose austerity?

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Welcoming the Government’s taking into account deprivation in funding, Natasha highlighted investment in poorest communities. Croydon is set to receive an extra £158 million over this Parliament. What is the timetable for getting this extra investment?

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Welcoming the additional investment, Mrs. Blundell raised concerns about firefighters attending flooding and water-rescue incidents up 40% over the last decade. Has any consideration been given to introducing a statutory duty on local fire and rescue services?

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Five years ago, Bexley council sought a capitalisation order due to dire funding situation. Will Alison McGovern contrast today's announcement with the previous Government’s approach?

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Nottinghamshire county council received a £234 million increase over this Parliament, or 30%, making a huge difference. What decisions have been taken on avoiding cliff edges due to loss of new homes bonus and similar mechanisms?

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Black Country people are proud and resilient, but 50 years of deindustrialisation and 14 years of Tory austerity have left my borough of Sandwell the fifth most deprived in the country. Does the Minister agree with me that this Government can finally see deprived urban areas—post-industrial areas like mine—and is finally giving us back what we are due?

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Does the Minister agree that, with elections in May next year, if residents in my Shipley constituency want to see improvements in local services, they will need a Labour council working with a Labour Government?