Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Authorities: Long-term Funding

Monday 10 July 2023 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Local authorities have lost 15 billion of funding since 2010.
  • Minister of State is aware of challenges in planning departments and aims to address them through the NSIP action plan.
  • Increased rural grant by 10 million in the recent financial settlement to address financial pressures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Local Government
Context

Local authorities have faced significant financial challenges, including a £15 billion loss in funding since 2010. This question addresses the government's responsibility to provide long-term solutions.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on long-term funding for local authorities? Local authorities have lost £15 billion of funding since 2010, as the Government have sought to outsource both the pain and the blame for their punishing approach to the public finances, with only a fraction allocated back on a piecemeal, time-limited and ad hoc basis. The reality is that it is increasingly difficult to deliver all services local residents rely on.

Answer from Lee Rowley

Difficult decisions were taken after 2010 due to Labour's failure. Additional funding for local government in this financial year demonstrates an understanding of the challenges, but hard choices and trade-offs are still required.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about treating local government seriously was not addressed with a commitment or timeline.

How: Difficult Decisions Were Taken In The Years After 2010 Precisely Because Labour Failed To Make Those Decisions

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Q2 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Economy Local Government
Context

Inflation impacts on local authority budgets have squeezed planning departments, with only 19% of big planning applications approved within the required 13-week timeframe.

Question

As inflation impacts local authority budgets, planning departments are becoming especially squeezed. Councils are meant to approve big planning applications within 13 weeks, but over the last year only 19% have been approved in that timeframe, down from 57% ten years ago. What can he do to improve funding for local council planning departments?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Challenges exist in this area, and the Minister of State is aware and seeking to address them. The NSIP action plan aims to speed up projects and decisions within nationally significant infrastructure programmes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about funding was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

How: Challenges Exist In This Area, But No Specifics On Improving Funding

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Q3 Philip Hollobone Con
Local Government
Context

Shropshire's Conservative-run council is trying to save £1 million a week just to balance its budget this year and restore its reserves to a safe level. Part of the problem is that rural councils do not get enough funding.

Question

The Shropshire Council faces significant financial challenges, with over 1 million in weekly savings required to balance its budget and restore reserves to a safe level. The allocation for rural councils does not reflect additional costs of delivering services. Will he consider reassessing that allocation?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Aware of challenges, increased rural grant by £10 million in recent financial settlement; will continue working with colleagues to address pressures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about reassessing allocation was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

How: Aware Of Challenges But No Specific Commitment On Reassessment

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Q4 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Children & Families Local Government
Context

Stoke-on-Trent City Council faces significant financial and service delivery pressures, including over 1000 children in care requiring out-of-city provisions.

Question

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is facing unprecedented pressure due to over 1000 children in the care of the council and multiple education, health, and care plans that require children to be taken out of the city. Will he meet urgently with Stoke-on-Trent's leader, chief executive officer, and MPs to find a way forward?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Grateful for knowledge on issues; happy to meet Members of Parliament from Stoke-on-Trent to talk about this matter in further detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not addressed with a concrete commitment or timeline.

How: Happy To Discuss But No Firm Commitment On Urgency

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Q5 Jonathan Gullis
Local Government
Context

The final local government finance settlement for 2023-24 makes available up to £60 billion for local government in England.

Question

Local authorities have lost £15 billion of funding since 2010. The reality is that it is increasingly difficult to deliver all services residents rely on. Will the Secretary of State stop treating local government like a pawn?

Answer from Lee Rowley

Difficult decisions were taken after 2010 due to Labour's failure; additional funding demonstrates an understanding of challenges, but hard choices are still required.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about treating local government seriously was not addressed with a commitment or timeline.

How: Difficult Decisions Were Taken Due To Labour'S Failure

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