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Local Government Responsibilities: Public Services
18 March 2020
Lead MP
Barbara Keeley
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSSocial CareEconomyEmploymentForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeLocal Government
Other Contributors: 56
At a Glance
Barbara Keeley raised concerns about local government responsibilities: public services 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
Local government will be on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus. Social care is crucial as it helps keep hospital beds clear for those who need them, especially during this pandemic. Care providers face extra costs due to personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning measures, which require urgent funding from the Government to ensure continued service provision.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
The Chancellor should announce specific support for the social care sector as it is in a fragile state due to pressures from the current situation.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Agrees with the need for specific support for the social care sector, emphasising that many providers are on the brink of collapse without reserves.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Questions if some of the funding allocated to local authorities will be earmarked to support local charities and community groups providing social care, highlighting their importance in communities.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Asks whether visits from friends and family to people in care homes should stop until June. Also raises concerns about the Care Quality Commission's inspection pause and its independent review of Whorlton Hall.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Discusses issues faced by unpaid carers, including worries over contracting coronavirus or having to self-isolate. Questions what alternative care can be provided at short notice if a carer needs to stop caring for someone they do not live with.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Highlights the supply of medicines, hygiene products, and food as major issues facing carers. Emphasises the importance of schools understanding which children are young carers to support them during school closures.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Raises concerns about the government's reasonable worst-case scenario implying one in five workers could be off sick. Discusses current workforce problems in social care, such as 122,000 vacancies.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Discusses the changes to the Care Act 2014 enabling local authorities to prioritise services they offer during pandemic times. Questions for further guidance on when these powers would be used.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
Asks about certainty of future funding for local authorities and which additional costs from coronavirus can reasonably expect central Government to cover.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Villiers agrees that volunteers are essential during this crisis but stresses the importance of conducting appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service checks to ensure vulnerable individuals remain safe from unscrupulous interveners.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Johnson expresses concern about proper DBS checks for volunteers and the need for infection control measures, echoing Keeley's emphasis on ensuring volunteer safety and effectiveness in health and social care.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Keeley reiterates concerns about proper guidance for volunteers, the mental health impact of self-isolation, and the need for support in public health services such as smoking cessation. She also addresses issues related to homelessness, education, waste collection, council tax relief, and arrears, calling on the Government to provide comprehensive assistance.
Luke Hall
Con
Wellingborough
Hall thanks Keeley for her constructive approach and acknowledges the significant challenges faced by local authorities. He commits to providing necessary funding and support for councils in tackling the coronavirus crisis, focusing on social care, vulnerable people, and supporting local economies.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Welcomed the initiatives but urged the Minister to look at elderly and vulnerable people living on their own who may be overlooked by Government’s initiatives. Suggested that local councils should reach out, locate them, identify them and offer help.
Luke Hall
Con
Worsley and Eccles South
Acknowledged the concerns raised about elderly and vulnerable people living on their own and assured that work has already started to compile lists of such individuals. Emphasised that local councils will be fundamental units in administering support.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Asked about emergency legislation for the powers that local authorities have, and how the democratic process would work during the crisis.
Paid tribute to workers in local authority services including care sector staff, cleaners, street cleansers, and waste collectors. Emphasised their importance in keeping society safe and going.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Noted that councils have used trading opportunities to generate income due to austerity measures over the past 10 years, highlighting the impact of reduced passenger traffic through Luton Airport on council revenue.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Asked if local authorities will receive additional resources to allow them to do what Government is asking them to do, including supporting the business sector and dealing with a surge in covid-19 cases.
Gareth Thomas
Lab/Co-op
Harrow West
Asked for clarity on financial support beyond this financial year and for direct communication channels between local authorities and Government departments to address detailed questions from businesses and organisations about the announced measures.
Asked how the Government would ensure sufficient staffing in councils if many staff have to self-isolate or are sick, suggesting using recently laid-off airline employees as a potential solution.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Hastings and Rye
Commends the community spirit during the crisis, highlights local authorities and volunteer groups in Hastings and Rye.
Luke Hall
Con
Stretford and Urmston
Acknowledges the community support, announces £5 billion for NHS and social care guidance. Discusses PPE distribution to care homes starting today with 300 masks per location.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Concerned about professionals and volunteers being diverted from qualification processes; asks for assurance that their qualifications will not be disadvantaged.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Asks whether the Government have considered removing charges for Disclosure and Barring Service checks to expedite volunteer involvement in care settings.
Concerned about protective equipment needs for care staff, suggests expanding thinking on PPE requirements beyond basic supplies to include more robust measures.
Ben Everitt
Con
Milton Keynes South
Queries specific support measures for theatres and breweries in his constituency.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Asks for guidance on how local authority resilience partnerships can join up with health resilience partnerships.
Luke Hall
Con
Crawley
Ensures that local resilience forums engage regularly with health partnerships and have a seat for them. Andy Battle, a retired deputy chief constable, is reviewing all plans to ensure adequate engagement with the national health service in each community. The LRF taskforce enhances preparedness by rapidly assessing it. Local authorities are keeping their plans under constant review and getting support from this Government. A commitment to providing local government with necessary tools and support exists, willing to do whatever it takes.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
Expresses gratitude for the debate opportunity and pays tribute to public service workers dealing with coronavirus impact. Emphasises concern about special populations within society not being overlooked during crisis, highlighting the anxiety of those dependent on daily visits from carers. Acknowledges efforts made by local organisations in Glasgow East to address gaps in services quickly. Supports 'whatever it takes' approach endorsed by UK Government for supporting frontline healthcare spending and social care investment.
Ben Everitt
Con
North Cornwall
Highlights community spirit as a key aspect during these unprecedented times, noting local government's experience in dealing with adverse financial circumstances. Mentions partnerships between local government and the voluntary sector to solve homelessness issues such as Milton Keynes’ winter night shelter initiative.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Highlights that this situation requires community involvement beyond dialling 999 for emergency services, suggesting an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate cohesiveness by protecting the most vulnerable in society.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Highlights the importance of local authority flexibility in resource deployment to address local needs effectively. Emphasises the need for less bureaucracy from central government.
Supports his Conservative colleague's view and discusses knife crime as a new issue in Milton Keynes, highlighting the positive impact of additional police funding and powers. Mentions 187 extra officers for Thames Valley including 36 for Milton Keynes.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Commends local councils' response to the coronavirus pandemic while criticising years of funding cuts. Points out that councils have lost over 60% in grant from central government since 2010. Raises concern about reliance on business rates, urging for better support proposals. Discusses social care challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and calls for fair treatment of social care workers regarding sick pay.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Asks whether childcare provision should be extended to include key workers in local authorities providing social care, akin to NHS staff, if schools close.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Social care workers, together with healthcare workers, are at the frontline of the crisis. They must be offered every support possible to enable them to keep working throughout. There are grave concerns about extra capacity needed in social care due to school closures for children with special educational needs and those eligible for free school meals. Schools like Turney School need additional social care support during self-isolation periods. The social care sector will need to step up to meet the needs of vulnerable children. I raise access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for carers and the human rights concerns for autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities in hospital settings. Funding and arrangements are needed for rough sleepers to avoid coronavirus spread, including emergency accommodation suitable for self-isolation. The economic crisis could increase homelessness; no one should lose their home due to coronavirus. Local authorities need support from central government to administer financial assistance without delay or impacting other services.
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
Appreciates the efforts of the ministerial team and the spirit of the Opposition Front Benchers. Acknowledges the amazing community response to the crisis, particularly towards elderly support. Concerns about co-ordination of volunteer efforts are raised without stifling them. Local authorities provide a hub for information exchange rather than direct coordination. Supports dissemination of helpful tips across UK communities to avoid duplication in food security and other areas.
Concerned about duplication particularly when it comes to things such as food security among organisations in his constituency. Suggests disseminating helpful tips and ideas throughout the UK to avoid duplication issues.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
The public are worried about the current crisis, and the Government must provide certainty. The years of cuts and failure to invest in services have left communities ill-prepared for health risks. Cuts to youth services by 70% since 2010 mean that young people’s lives could be worse than their own generation's. Spending on education has also been cut, leading to difficulties for parents with children with additional needs and a lack of secure refuges for victims of domestic abuse. Social care is in crisis with over one million people not receiving the care they need. The Government must step up and deliver intervention, leadership, and co-ordination to support local public services.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Simmons argues that the government's approach to providing resources for local services during the coronavirus outbreak is important. He emphasises the strategic role of Parliament in setting ambitious goals for housing, healthcare, social care, and education while allowing local authorities to implement detailed plans flexibly. He highlights the effectiveness of local resilience forums and the need for local flexibility in deploying funds from central government to meet community needs. Simmons also praises specific aspects of the Government’s response, such as support for nurseries and early years providers, and the distribution of personal protective equipment.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Western questions the government about how they are ramping up production and supply of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and testing kits. He seeks clarity on understanding where the base was in terms of supplies and where things might be in two weeks' time.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
The debate underlines that a decade of austerity has led to cuts affecting various sectors like housing, planning, local government finance, adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness. The absence of proper assessment for responsibilities placed on councils is highlighted as a major issue. The debate also discusses the undervaluing of social care workers, noting issues such as minimum wage pay, travel expenses deductions, and low apprenticeship levies compared to other professions.
Emphasises that NHS and social care employees are often taken for granted despite their critical skills in dealing with patients and clients. The sector relies heavily on the goodwill of its employees due to underfunding and lack of support.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Highlights that social care is facing 120,000 vacancies, making it highly vulnerable. The debate calls for better protection and support for social care workers who are at risk when entering homes without knowing the patients' contact history.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Supports the argument that in times of crisis, central government support is urgently needed to protect young people from violence due to lack of support systems caused by cuts in youth services.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Stresses the importance of breaking cycles of criminalisation affecting young people who may be groomed into crime. Discusses impacts on Sure Start centres, primary school budgets, special educational needs support, and overall public service provision.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Reiterates the difficulties councils face in inventive revenue generation due to cuts. Highlights that certain revenue streams will be cut off, making local authorities more desperate to maintain services. Urges for urgent understanding of how the £500 million Chancellor mentioned will be distributed fairly.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Councils are turning to alternative funding sources because of austerity measures leading to a £6 billion investment portfolio asset acquisition over two years. The Government increased the Public Works Loan Board interest rate instead of addressing the core issue of insufficient local government funding, which is unsustainable in light of the ongoing crisis. Local services face an unprecedented challenge that tests societal resilience and requires sustained financial support from central government.
Mitcham and Morden
Councils are being directed to provide self-contained accommodation for homeless individuals but lack the necessary resources. This highlights the need for comprehensive support, including addressing issues like alcohol and drug addiction, mental health, and physical health needs.
The Government expresses gratitude towards local authorities and their frontline staff for their efforts during the coronavirus crisis. They reaffirm commitment to supporting councils through various measures such as £5 billion allocated to NHS and additional funding as needed. Acknowledges the significant financial support provided, exceeding £330 billion.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Urges the Minister to explicitly commit to providing necessary funding for social care services in addition to NHS support during the crisis.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Expresses concern about potential loss of core income for councils due to a collapse in business rates revenue despite the large-scale support announced by the Government. Emphasises that the threat extends beyond specific needs to impact local authorities' fundamental budgets.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Local authority base budgets are based on an assessment of council tax collection rates. If people are made redundant or if they move on to statutory sick pay, they will clearly not be able to afford their rent, let alone their council tax. We expect councils to withhold any enforcement action, because that is the right, moral thing to do, but surely the Government will provide compensation to protect the base income of those councils, and surely they must now consider whether people should have the protection of a council tax holiday, too.
Christopher Pincher
17:00:00
We are standing behind our public services, local authorities, and volunteers to get through this crisis. £3.2 million in initial emergency funding has been announced for rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping to self-isolate. The Government is responding at pace to the evolving challenges caused by covid-19, working closely with the Local Government Association and other local authority representatives. We are ready to do more and will go further as necessary. NHS and local authorities are working with care providers to prioritise people who are at the highest risk and facilitate plans for mutual aid. The social care workforce is receiving essential PPE, including face masks, aprons, and gloves. Digital appointments for GPs are being offered to provide advice and guidance to patients and families. Local authorities have been put on a strong footing by the outcome of the settlement for next year with an estimated 4.4% real-terms increase in core spending power.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Discussed the issue of personal protective equipment shortages for social care and across care homes in Birmingham, raising concerns about people being put in harm's way. Pressed the Government to address this urgent need.
Government Response
NHSSocial CareEconomyEmploymentForeign AffairsBusiness & TradeLocal Government
Government Response
Hall acknowledges the challenges faced by local authorities during the pandemic and commits to providing necessary funding and support. He emphasises the Government's commitment to comprehensive measures in social care, supporting vulnerable people, and sustaining local economies. Outlined an extensive package of support including £5 billion for public service response, more than £330 billion in financial support equivalent to 15% of UK GDP, grants to small businesses, and measures to provide additional resources to local authorities. Also addressed concerns about staffing and emergency legislation. Acknowledges community support, announces financial measures for NHS and social care. Discusses PPE distribution to care homes starting today with 300 masks per location. Reaffirms commitment to providing councils with necessary funding, including social care services, and acknowledges the significant financial support already provided by the Government. Emphasises ongoing discussions for further announcements as the situation evolves. We are doing everything possible to give local government the right support and resources for the unprecedented crisis with a large increase in core spending power since 2015. In 2020-21, £49.1 billion is available as CSP, up from £46.2 billion, representing a real-terms increase of 4.4%. New funding of £1.5 billion for adult and children’s social care will be made available to support local authorities in meeting rising demand.
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