Cash-strapped council needs to sort out own finances – PM

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak said cash-strapped Somerset Council should manage its own finances rather than expect further financial support.

Mr Sunak, who was in Devon and Cornwall yesterday, defended Government support for local councils as he faced questions about the precarious financial situation facing Somerset Council, which needs to find £100 million to avoid going effectively bankrupt.

The Prime Minister told BBC Radio Somerset the local council should manage its finances and “get on and deliver for people”.

He told the station: “We have increased the funding for local councils across the country by about £600 million recently, which will mean on average councils will have about 7.5% more money to spend this next year than they did last year.

“Some of that money is dedicated specifically for rural counties like Somerset, where it’s harder to provide services in rural areas, which we acknowledge.

“But it’s also important that councils manage the cost of living for their residents, and councils that are asking the Government to just allow them to whack in incredibly high council tax rises is not right.

“And that’s why we have referendum precepts. If councils want to do that they can obviously ask their residents to give them the authority to put in excessive council tax rises, but we strike the balance between councils raising the money they need, but making sure they don’t unnecessarily burden people, and that’s what we’ve done.”

He added: “Ultimately they should manage the finances – we put £600 million more in, and it’s right that they get on and deliver for people.”

In Devon he was grilled on potholes and the lack of NHS dental care in the South West.

The Prime Minister acknowledged it would be an “important” area in the next general election.

Pressed on claims Government funding to fix potholes is only a “drop in the ocean”, Mr Sunak said: “Well, I think the numbers I’ve got show that it’s growing next year. And that’s why we have to make priorities and decisions right. Obviously, I think everyone knows there isn’t a bottomless pit for these things.”

He also brushed off criticism of his dental plan from the British Dental Association, telling the station: “Everyone will have their views. I’m confident that it will make a difference.

“It’s a significant amount of money. It’s two-and-a-half million appointments, which will take us back to pre-Covid levels.”

Ben Birchall/PA Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to MSubs in Plymouth, Devon