May pledges to fund cost of dealing with Manchester terror attack

Theresa May has promised the government will fully fund the costs of dealing with the Manchester Arena bombing after criticism that an initial offer fell at least £5 million short of what local authorities said was needed.

The government had previously said Manchester had been assured it would receive £12m, with £3m being made available immediately.

But Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said more than £17.5m had already been spent and suggested at least £10.4m 0 Theresa May has come under fire over funding more could be needed to cover costs including the inquests into the 22 deaths and an inquiry.

The £12m figure would have meant local authorities being forced to cut services to make up the £5m shortfall on what had already been spend, he had warned.

The Prime Minister said: “Be in no doubt, Manchester will get the financial support it needs – and if that costs £28m, as Andy Burnham has estimated, then that is what we will make available.”

In a statement the Prime Minister said a taskforce had been established within the Cabinet Office to oversee progress on meeting the costs.

She said: “I promised in the wakeofthatappallingatrocity this government would do all it could to help victims recover and the city to heal.

“I repeat that commitment today.”