Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Local Authority Support

Monday 16 November 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Councils' self reported figures suggest local authorities spent an additional 3.6 billion through September as a result of covid.
  • Since the start of the pandemic, over 7.2 billion has been provided directly to councils.
  • Wakefield has received 31 million across four tranches of funding.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Local Government
Context

Local councils are facing challenges due to the high covid-19 infection rates, necessitating additional support. There is concern about the adequacy of current funding.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of support given to local authorities in areas with high covid-19 infection rates?

Answer from Luke Hall

Councils' self-reported figures suggest that local authorities spent an additional £3.6 billion through September as a result of covid. Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided over £7.2 billion directly to councils and are now providing new funding for national restrictions. I hope the hon. Gentleman will also welcome the additional funding of over £40 million that Wakefield Council has received to support its community so far this year.

Answered
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Q2 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Social Care Local Government
Context

Austerity measures have led to significant cuts in local care services, schools, youth support, child services, and wage freezes for key workers. The impact of these cuts is exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic.

Question

The impact of austerity on poorer communities has been severe, with Wakefield losing almost £50 million from local care services alone. Given the additional strain from covid-19, is it time to restore funding to those in difficulty and give a rise to key workers?

Answer from Luke Hall

I am surprised to hear the hon. Gentleman speak like that about local authority when he supported and voted for the local government finance settlement this year. As I said, since the start of the pandemic we have provided £7.2 billion in funding. Wakefield has received £31 million across four tranches of unring-fenced funding, the last including deprivation, population and cost driver indicators, too. It has also received £2 million for test and trace, £7 million from the infection control fund and more than £40 million in additional grants.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Restoration of funding to communities affected by austerity measures and wage increases for key workers

How: Supported And Voted For Local Government Finance Settlement, Failed To Recognise The Incredible Work Of Councils

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