Thank you for contacting me about funding for local councils.
I fully recognise the important and tireless efforts undertaken by local councils. They have a vital role in delivering essential public services and building stronger communities across the country. I want to see councils given the funding they need and the certainty to plan for the future.
Through the annual Local Government Finance Settlement, the last Government put in place up to £64.7 billion for local authorities in England in 2024/25. This represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £4.5 billion, or 7.5 per cent in cash terms. The final settlement included £600 million in additional funding, including £500 million to bolster social care budgets, which the last Government was able to provide thanks to its work to more than halve inflation.
Local councils rightly expect certainty about their finances. Ministers have said that future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement. I will carefully monitor any announcements.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
