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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the effect of reductions in funding for local government on levels of knife crime.

My Department has ongoing discussions with the Home Office on multiple issues, including tackling crime. Tackling knife crime is a priority and the Government is determined to crack down on the scourge of violence devastating our communities.

The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement confirmed an increase of £2.9 billion in resources for local government this year. In addition, police funding is increasing by more than £1 billion this year, including council tax and additional funding through the Serious Violence Fund for forces worst affected by violent crime.