Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Autumn Statement: Financial Support for Local Councils

Tuesday 15 November 2022 · 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

  • Ministerial commitment to increasing financial support for local councils to ensure delivery of vital public services.
  • Government provided local authorities with the largest annual increases in core funding in over a decade at the previous spending review.
  • Minister acknowledges the need for a long-term approach to support councils in tackling rising demand through upstream investment in prevention services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Bradley Con
Economy Local Government
Context

The question follows a period of increasing financial pressures on local authorities, with the Chancellor set to announce further information at the autumn statement.

Question

If he will bring forward measures in his autumn statement to increase financial support for local councils. The background context includes the need for sustainable funding that moves money upstream into non-statutory services such as prevention and early intervention, which are crucial for managing rising demand but often face budget cuts.

Answer from John Glen

The Government are committed to ensuring that local authorities are able to deliver vital public services. At the spending review last year, we provided councils with the largest annual increases in core funding in over a decade, and the Chancellor will set out further information on the Government's fiscal approach at the autumn statement on Thursday.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or figures were not mentioned for the upcoming autumn statement

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Q2 Ben Bradley Con
Children & Families Local Government
Context

The question arises from concerns about short-term budget pressures causing cuts in non-statutory services such as prevention and early intervention, which are critical for sustainable service delivery.

Question

With the need to tackle rising demand through upstream investment in prevention services like children's services or youth centres, what can be done to support councils by ensuring a long-term approach rather than short-term budget pressures?

Answer from John Glen

First, I would like to thank my hon. Friend for the four-page letter that he sent to the Secretary of State, which I have studied carefully. He makes some sensible suggestions and recognises the dynamics of different pots being used effectively within local government, and as a local authority leader himself, he is obviously on the frontline addressing these budgets. In last year's spending review we put money into supporting families and family hubs, and provided £500 million of “start for life” investment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or figures were not mentioned for future support, only past achievements

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Q3 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Local Government
Context

The question is prompted by significant budget cuts to Hackney Council over the past decade, despite maintaining efficient public services. The MP highlights that well-managed councils can deliver cost-effective and value-for-money services.

Question

Given that my local authority has suffered nearly 50% budget cuts over a decade but still delivers efficient public services, will the Minister consider this when the Chancellor approaches Thursday's autumn statement?

Answer from John Glen

Absolutely, I will. Of course, it is not just about the cash settlement; it is about the interaction with other pots of money that are being spent, particularly in the health service, which is at the top of my mind and the Chancellor's mind as we concentrate on what to do on Thursday.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or figures were not mentioned for consideration, only a general commitment was given

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