29.04.20
Government allocates £1.6bn covid funding for councils
The Government has confirmed allocations for the £1.6bn of latest Covid-19 funding for individual councils, it came on the same day The County Councils Network (CCN) called for more clarity (Apr 28).
Councils in England have been allotted the precise sum of funding they will receive as Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP publishes complete list of councils and funding.
The social and economic effects of coronavirus pose a real threat to local councils, and the recently announced £1.6bn in Government funding, brings the total to £3.2bn to support councils dealing with the immediate impacts of the virus and subsequent lockdown.
Local authorities have stepped up throughout this crisis, delivering food, supporting frontline services and shielding vulnerable people, all while operating the daily services they provide the community.
The funding has been distributed based on their population and the latest assessment on the challenges specific to the area they serve.
The funding split between county and district councils aims to reflect the fiscal pressures felt by councils as residents stay home, rather than using council services like car parks and leisure facilities. This is why a majority of district councils are set to receive more than £1m of additional funding.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
“Councils are playing a central role in our national fight against coronavirus and the government continues to back them at this challenging time.
“That’s why I announced an extra £3.2 billion of support for councils to help them to continue their extraordinary efforts.
“Today I’m setting out how the latest £1.6 billion of this will be allocated to councils in the fairest way possible, recognising the latest and best assessment of the pressures they face.”
The split between county and district authorities will be 65:35 and cases where there are separate fire authorities, will have a specific tier split for fire of 3%.
Specific funding allocations can be found here.