Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2019 to Question 243378 on Children: Social Services, what analysis has been (a) carried out and (b) commissioned by his Department to estimate the funding needed by local authorities to meet demand for children’s social care services in each year of the period covered by the forthcoming Spending Review.
My department is working with the sector, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and with HM Treasury, as part of our preparation for the next Spending Review, to understand the level of funding local government needs to meet demand and deliver statutory duties.
My department is also working closely with MHCLG on the Review of Relative Needs and Resources to develop a robust, up-to-date approach to funding distribution for children's services at local government finance settlements.