Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Authority Funding: Covid-19

Monday 15 June 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local authorities received an unprecedented 3.2 billion from the Government to address financial pressures from the pandemic, including specific allocations for Enfield and Hounslow councils.
  • The Government are working closely with councils, including Bradford, to understand and address pressures on BAME communities affected by the pandemic.
  • Over 103 million has been allocated to Hounslow Borough Council, including business grants and additional council funding worth over 14 million, to support economic and community recovery.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Enfield North
Local Government
Context

Discusses funding inadequacy for local councils due to financial strain from the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of funding for local authorities during the current pandemic? The hon. Member also inquired about Enfield council facing a projected £68 million cost burden and the need for austerity measures despite statutory duties to provide essential services like libraries, waste collection, and adult social care.

Answer from Simon Clarke

We have paid an unprecedented £3.2 billion to local authorities to address financial pressures from the pandemic, including £17.9 million to Enfield council and a core spending power increase of £13.5 million this year. We introduced measures worth more than £5 billion to help ease councils' immediate financial pressures. No, councils should not plan for austerity cuts.

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Q2 Naseem Shah Lab Slough
Local Government
Context

Inquires about government plans to support areas severely impacted by the virus with large black and minority ethnic populations.

Question

What are the Government's plans to ensure that councils covering high-density BAME population areas receive necessary support for recovery from social and economic effects of the pandemic?

Answer from Simon Clarke

The Government are working closely with councils, including Bradford, to understand pressures on BAME communities. We continue to work closely with affected areas and adjust our response accordingly as we gather more information.

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Q3 Seema Malhotra Labour (Co-op) Sheffield Hallam
Economy Local Government
Context

Discusses the need for collaboration between councils, industry, training providers and community organizations to ensure a comprehensive recovery strategy.

Question

How do the Government plan to support partnerships involving local authorities, businesses, training providers and community groups to ensure economic and community recovery go hand in hand?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We have so far allocated a total of more than £103 million to Hounslow Borough Council, including generous business grants and additional council funding worth over £14 million. We support local authorities with specific issues such as aviation links struggling financially.

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