Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Authorities: Inflation

Monday 5 June 2023 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local authorities face financial challenges due to inflation and reduced revenue funding from central government since 2010.
  • The Chancellor announced additional funding to help local councils repair potholes.
  • The Government offers support to tackle child poverty through welfare measures and policies encouraging employment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Economy Local Government
Context

Local authorities face significant budgetary pressures due to inflation, impacting their ability to provide services.

Question

What steps are being taken to help local authorities with the financial challenges caused by inflation? Local authorities' revenue funding from central government has been drastically reduced since 2010 and levelling-up funds do not replace grant funding as they are capital, not revenue. Will the latest finance settlement worsen regional inequalities?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Absolutely not.

Not addressed: Admitted that the settlement does not address inequality issues directly

How: Absolutely Not

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Q2 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Transport Local Government
Context

Local councils have a core duty to manage potholes, and some are failing in this task. One specific example is Barnet Council.

Question

Given that local authorities should be addressing the issue of potholes, what advice can the Minister give to councils like Barnet which are struggling with this responsibility?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Local councils must focus on basics such as pothole repair. The Chancellor recently announced additional funding to ensure that potholes are filled.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific advice for Barnet Council beyond general statements

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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Economy Children & Families Local Government
Context

High levels of child poverty exist, with many in working households. The cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated this issue.

Question

With 4.2 million children living in poverty and a third of them in the West Midlands and one fifth in the North East, how will local authorities receive support to tackle rising child poverty? Is the decision to fund only one quarter of deprived areas through levelling-up funding contributing to these high levels of child poverty?

Answer from Lee Rowley

The Government offers substantial support to those in need, including welfare measures and policies that ensure work pays. The best way out of poverty is through employment.

Not addressed: Did not address specific support for local authorities or the impact of levelling-up funding on child poverty

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