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Levelling Up: Local Councils
08 December 2021
Lead MP
John Martin McDonnell
Hayes and Harlington
Lab
Responding Minister
Neil O'Brien
Tags
EconomyTransportCulture, Media & SportBusiness & TradeLocal Government
Word Count: 4039
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
John Martin McDonnell raised concerns about levelling up: local councils in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Government to address the issue of council funding overall and provide a rising tide of funding that raises all local authority ships. I also urge them to consider more radical reform of local government finance and explore mechanisms for debt relief for local authorities.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the stark inequalities in investment across regions, with London receiving twice as much capital investment per person compared to the south-west of England. Additionally, there is a significant disparity in life expectancy between Kensington in Liverpool and Kensington in London. The loss of central government funding for local authorities has led to closures of children's centres, youth centres, libraries, and bus routes, impacting communities across the country.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Liverpool has lost £450 million since 2010, with further cuts of £32 million expected in April. Levelling up is hollow rhetoric there due to sustained funding attacks starting from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010. The issue when talking about levelling up and moving on from 2010 is that in 2022 the budget cuts affecting my city once again will mean that, potentially, four community libraries will be shut down in some of the poorest wards in the country. Last week, a study by Feeding Liverpool found that a third of my city are experiencing food insecurity.
Government Response
Neil O'Brien
Government Response
I congratulate the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington on securing this debate and express agreement with his views on regional disparities. I emphasize the importance of empowering local leaders to drive levelling-up initiatives beyond cookie-cutter policies, focusing instead on tailored solutions for specific areas such as Leeds, Bradford, Blackpool, Manchester, Darlington, and Hayes and Harlington. The Government is committed to providing financial support through various funds including £2.4 billion allocated via the towns fund, £100 million from the welcome back fund and reopening high streets safely fund, and a £1.7 billion first round of the levelling-up fund supporting 105 initiatives across England. I highlight progress in Liverpool and Teesside with new devolution deals and freeports to boost local economies. Local government core spending power is set to increase by an average of 3% annually in real terms, complemented by investments through other funds like the future high streets fund and UK shared prosperity fund. The levelling-up Department will continue advancing this agenda over the coming years with a flexible approach to devolution.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.