PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Coronavirus: Local Government Finance (18 May 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the long-term financial effects on local authorities in (a) the South West and (b) other areas of the England with low rates of covid-19 deaths of a potentially delayed peak in covid-19 cases in those areas compared to other areas of England.

Asked by:
Karin Smyth (Labour)

The Government has now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-ringfenced grant so they can address pressures they are facing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local authorities in the South West of England have received £316 million of this funding.

The package recognises the additional costs and pressures on finances councils are facing as a result of the current crisis. It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to making sure councils have the resources they need to support their communities through this challenging time.

We will continue to work with local government and their representatives to ensure they are managing the pandemic.

Answered by:
Sir Simon Clarke (Conservative)
2 June 2020