Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Lockdown: 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

  • Government provided over 7.2 billion directly to councils since the start of the pandemic.
  • Cornwall Council received over 60 million and Plymouth City Council received over 30 million since the pandemic began.
  • Local authorities can claim for relevant irrecoverable losses from toll bridges and roads through a named category.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Local Government
Context

During the November 2020 lockdown, local councils faced significant financial strain due to increased spending on public health measures and reduced revenue from various sources.

Question

What financial support is the Government providing to local authorities during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown?

Answer from Luke Hall

Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided over £7.2 billion directly to councils. We have also confirmed further support for local authorities through the extension of the contain outbreak management fund, and Cornwall will receive an extra £35 million from the additional resources grant and business grants for closed businesses.

Answered
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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Local Government
Context

Two important crossings across the Tamar in Sheryll Murray's constituency, owned by Cornwall and Plymouth councils, have faced financial difficulties due to reduced traffic and toll revenues.

Question

I thank the Government for their generous support to councils during this difficult time. I have two very important crossings across the Tamar in my constituency, owned by Cornwall and Plymouth councils, which have run into financial difficulty. How does my right hon. Friend the Minister advise that this situation should be resolved?

Answer from Luke Hall

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided Cornwall Council with over £60 million and over £30 million to Plymouth City Council. Local authorities should be able to claim for relevant irrecoverable losses from toll bridges and roads. These losses have a named category in the form through which local authorities make their claims.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific advice on how to resolve the financial difficulties of the crossings or what additional support might be available beyond general claim guidance.

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