Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of increasing funding for local government in the Spring Budget 2024.

The Chancellor and Chief Secretary hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on spending priorities for fiscal events.

Local councils play an essential role in the fabric of our country – providing services which we all rely on and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

That is why the final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 makes available up to £64.7 billion in total for local authorities in England, which includes the £600 million of additional measures that was announced on 24 January in response to representations from local government stakeholders. This is an increase in overall Core Spending Power of 7.5%, or up to £4.5 billion, on 2023-24, an above-inflation increase.

The Government is continuing to support all councils by providing a sector-wide Funding Guarantee, ensuring all local authorities see a minimum 4% increase in Core Spending Power before local council tax decisions.