Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Carden Excerpts
Tuesday 7th July 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Dan Carden Portrait Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab) [V]
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The Prime Minister promised to do whatever it takes, and the Housing Minister told councils:

“spend whatever it takes, the Government will reimburse you”.

Will the Minister reaffirm that pledge? Councils need certainty. Many are already cutting services, and the one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work. Will he further commit to the principle that packages announced by the Government should meet the financial cost of coronavirus, and the social need for those local authorities?

Steve Barclay Portrait Steve Barclay
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The hon. Gentleman will know that the cost for local councils will be uncertain for some time, not least in terms of the impact of lost tax income. That is why we have addressed the short-term pressure through the £3.7 billion grant and additional funding that has been allocated, including the recent £600 million for infection control.