Councils are to receive an extra £1.6bn in funding to deal with the coronavirus crisis, communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced.
Ministers had previously told councils the initial £1.6bn was always likely to be topped up, as revealed by Transport Network, however the announcement comes on the back of council leaders taking to social media to raise concerns.
A series of council leaders, including the leader of Trafford and Southampton councils, published open letters to the government complaining that extra funds had not come through despite promises.
The additional funding pledge should allay fears, but the cost of the crisis is mounting with councils spending many times over what they had received.
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) chief executive Rob Whiteman said [more will be needed to ensure councils can maintain services in areas such as adult social care, homelessness and for other vulnerable groups’.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘Today’s announcement of an additional £1.6bn of new funding to councils means we have now provided them with over £3.2bn during this pandemic.
‘I promised local government would have the resources they need to meet this challenge and today demonstrates my commitment to doing just that.
‘We stand shoulder to shoulder with local government and my priority is to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time.
‘Up and down the country council workers are the unsung heroes as we tackle this virus. They are in the front line of the national effort to keep the public safe and deliver the services people need. Never has this been more important and we are all rightly grateful for everything that they are doing.
‘This new funding will support them through immediate pressures they are facing to respond to coronavirus and protect vital services.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
