Business Liquidation Costs to Local Authorities 2023-07-10
2023-07-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question arises due to the concern about local authorities' ability to handle sudden financial burdens caused by businesses entering liquidation, particularly in the context of a specific incident involving a skip site in Lancaster.
If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the capacity of local authorities to respond to unexpected costs arising from businesses entering liquidation. The cost of clean-up for a skip site on the Lune industrial estate has exceeded the value of the land, raising concerns about resident safety and environmental health.
The local government finance settlement for 2023-24 provides up to £59.7 billion, increasing core spending power by 9.4%. The Government also spends approximately £8 billion on targeted long-term investment in high streets and small businesses.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about assessing the capacity of local authorities was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Residents in the Marsh area of Lancaster are worried about a skip site on the Lune industrial estate that has entered liquidation, with clean-up costs exceeding land value, raising environmental health concerns.
Residents in the Marsh area of Lancaster, Lancaster City Council and I are concerned about the future of a skip site on the Lune industrial estate that has gone into liquidation. The cost of clean-up is higher than the value of the land. Will the Minister make time to meet me and Lancaster City Council to discuss what steps the council can take to ensure that residents know that the environment they are living in is healthy and safe?
The hon. Lady is in touch with the Environment Agency about this, and there is an ongoing investigation. Although specifics cannot be commented on, I would be happy to meet her to discuss the wider issue of waste remediation. The Government have increased the Environment Agency's budget by £10 million per year and tightened laws against rogue operators.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a meeting was not directly confirmed, but an offer to meet about a broader topic was made
Response accuracy