Steve Reed responds to the announcement on local authority funding

• 18th Apr 2020
• Finance

Steve Reed MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, responding to the announcement of £1 billion in funding for local authorities in England, commented:

“Care staff, refuse collectors and social workers are on the front line keeping communities safe during this crisis, but bins could go unemptied and older people could lose the care they rely on if the Government doesn’t guarantee funding.   

“The additional money announced today is a welcome start, but it is nowhere near enough. Councils are facing a financial black hole because of the costs of getting emergency help to vulnerable people and years of the underfunding of local government. If the Government breaks their promise to fund whatever’s necessary then cuts will follow and some of the frontline workers we’re all cheering will lose their jobs. 

“The Government must not betray their promise to communities and the heroes on the front line at this time of national emergency.” 

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