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Written question asked by Imran Hussain (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2022. It was answered by Kemi Badenoch (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 February 2022 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Regional Planning and Development: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Levelling Up White Paper, whether he plans to increase funding for the provision of services by local government to help meet the target of improving wellbeing across all regions.

Answer

In total, the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022/23 – published on 7 February – makes available an additional £3.7 billion to councils, including funding for adult social care reform. This is an increase in local authority funding for 2022/23 of over 4.5% in real terms, which will ensure councils across the country have the resources they need to deliver key services.

Local authorities know their own local priorities best and have a discretion to spend their income according to local need, including on issues relating to wellbeing.

Levelling up is at the heart of the Government's agenda to build back better after the pandemic and was at the centre of the Manifesto on which the Government promised to deliver for the people of the UK. The Government is committed to ensuring that funding allocations for councils are based on an up-to-date assessment of their needs and resources. We will work closely with local partners and take stock of the challenges and opportunities they face, before consulting on any potential funding reform.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
120800
Session
2021-22
Related items
Levelling Up the United Kingdom
Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Command papers
House of Lords
House of Commons
Subjects
Health Finance Local government services Regional planning and development
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk