Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of local authorities to fund short break services to provide respite for disabled children and their families.

We recognise the pressures that the pandemic has placed on local authority finances, and are monitoring this closely through monthly financial returns.

We are providing local authorities with an unprecedented package of support, including £3.7 billion of unringfenced grants. Local councils can use this funding to respond to pressures in their local area, including for respite services for disabled children and their families.

In addition the Prime Minister has announced a further £1 billion of funding for local authorities, details of which will be announced shortly.