Councils get £1.6bn to help cover lost revenues
The Government has pledged an additional £1.6billion of funding to help local councils in the fight against coronavirus.
On Saturday, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced the additional funding as councils continue to respond to the immediate impact of the pandemic.
It takes the total amount of cash pledged to councils to help their communities to over £3.2billion – following an initial £1.6billion announced last month.
It is expected to allow local authorities to continue to provide essential services and support to those who need it most – including getting more than 5,400 rough sleepers off the streets during the crisis.
It will go towards new shielding programmes for clinically extremely vulnerable people and assistance for public health workers and emergency services.
Making the announcement, Mr Jenrick has written to all councils in England to thank them for their continued efforts as they work around the clock to support their residents.
In his letter, he called council workers the “unsung heroes” of the coronavirus response who are helping to keep the country moving by ensuring vulnerable people receive the care they need and essential services continue.
He commented: “Today's announcement of an additional £1.6billion of new funding to councils means we have now provided them with over £3.2billion during this pandemic.
“I promised Local Government would have the resources they need to meet this challenge and today demonstrates my commitment to doing just that. We stand shoulder to shoulder with local government and my priority is to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time.
“Up and down the country council workers are the unsung heroes as we tackle this virus. They are in the front line of the national effort to keep the public safe and deliver the services people need. Never has this been more important and we are all rightly grateful for everything that they are doing.
“This new funding will support them through immediate pressures they are facing to respond to coronavirus and protect vital services.”