Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Buckinghamshire Council: Funding

Monday 24 November 2025 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated a policy on fair funding review consultation recently.
  • Vast majority of upper-tier councils will see real-term income increases over next three years.
  • Consultation considers cost pressures, including in adult social care.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Local Government
Context

Modeling by the County Councils Network indicates that, under current funding and council tax increase conditions, Buckinghamshire council will face a below-inflation real-terms cut in spending power.

Question

What assurance can the Minister give Buckinghamshire council that it will not find itself with a real-terms cut in spending power as it delivers essential services to my constituents?

Answer from The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern)

As I said in an earlier answer, we made a policy statement on the fair funding review consultation last week. In addition, as I have said, the vast majority of upper-tier councils will see their incomes increase in real terms over the next three years. More details will come as we finalise funding arrangements. The Department will work closely with Buckinghamshire and all other councils to ensure that their finances are stabilised after 14 rocky years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP sought specific assurances against real-term cuts for Buckinghamshire Council, but the Minister focused on overall increases without addressing this particular concern.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Callum Anderson Lab Buckingham and Bletchley
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the importance of multi-year funding settlements for councils to ensure continuity in essential services, especially in rural areas.

Question

Will the Minister set out in a bit more detail how the fair funding review will take into account the specific needs and pressures faced by councils serving rural communities?

Answer from The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern)

I know how important it is for my hon. Friend to champion those towns and villages. He is right to say that the three-year funding settlement for councils will help, including with forward planning. Where we are considering cost pressures—those in adult social care, for example—it will help us to change the way in which services are delivered so that we can support people and ensure that councils across the country, such as Buckinghamshire, have more stable finances in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP requested detailed information on how rural needs would be addressed but received a general statement without specifics.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)