Local Government Finance

Debate between Kris Hopkins and Andrew Gwynne

Thursday 18th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)]

Has the Minister had time to digest the findings of the survey of local government finance directors conducted by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, which shows that their confidence in their ability to continue funding services has plummeted? Will he consider the findings, including a desire for councils to be funded in a long-term and sustainable way, rather than by “stop-gap” measures such as the new homes bonus and the council tax freeze grant?

[Kris Hopkins]

No, I have not read the CIPFA report, but I have listened to the public, who have said that they continue to have confidence in the quality of services offered by local authorities.