← Back to House of Commons Debates
Public Services in Cornwall: Funding
15 January 2024
Lead MP
Steve Double
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyHousingTransportAgriculture & Rural AffairsChildren & FamiliesLocal Government
Other Contributors: 2
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
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.
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
EconomyHousingTransportAgriculture & Rural AffairsChildren & FamiliesLocal Government
Government Response
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
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.