Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Local Authority Support

Tuesday 28 April 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister expressed gratitude for local authorities' work during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Government provided over 3.2 billion to support local authorities facing financial challenges.
  • Minister for Regional Growth held talks with the District Councils' Network to address concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joy Morrissey Con Beaconsfield
Local Government
Context

The question is prompted by the need to assess whether the current level of support for local councils is adequate amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Question

What steps he is taking to regularly assess the adequacy of support for local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

I express once again my gratitude and admiration for the vital work that councils are doing. We have been in constant contact with councils up and down the country from Cornwall to Cumbria to listen to their concerns. More than £3.2 billion demonstrates our very real support for this sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken to assess adequacy of support not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Mark Fletcher
Local Government
Context

North East Derbyshire District Council and the District Councils' Network have suggested providing more financial support through innovative borrowing approaches to address the acute cash flow problem in district councils.

Question

District councils face an acute cash flow problem in the next few months as normal revenue streams have dried up. Although there is plenty of financial support available from the Government, has the Department considered providing more flexibility and innovative approaches to short and medium-term borrowing?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

I assure my hon. Friend that we are committed to ensuring that councils, including district councils, are supported. My hon. Friend the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government holds regular talks with the District Councils' Network. Indeed, he had a call with them just yesterday. As I have said, councils will be able to defer £2.6 billion of payments they are due to make to central Government over the next three months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific innovative borrowing approaches not addressed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Joy Morrissey Con Beaconsfield
Local Government
Context

Buckinghamshire Council faces reduced income and increased statutory duties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a request for financial assurances.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in again praising the excellent work of Buckinghamshire Council during the covid-19 crisis? What financial assurances can my right hon. Friend give Buckinghamshire Council, given the reduction in our income and the increase in our statutory duties associated with covid-19?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

In addition to the points I made to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith), authorities up and down the country, including Buckinghamshire Council, are performing admirably by supporting businesses, charities and the most vulnerable in society. Buckinghamshire Council received more than £10 million from the first tranche of funding paid on 27 March, with further support from the second tranche to be announced imminently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific financial assurances not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email