Richard has welcomed new analysis showing that local authorities across Bedfordshire have so far received an extra £86m to support vital local services during the Covid-19 pandemic, with further funding confirmed for next year.
Over half of this funding has not been ringfenced, meaning local leaders can decide how to use the additional funds and which local services to boost investment to. This could include counselling services, delivering essential supplies to vulnerable families, and ensuring cherished green spaces are well maintained and covid-secure.
Local authorities have also received over £2 billion in further grant funding since March last year to deliver specific schemes, such as providing emergency support for rough sleepers, preventing children going hungry, setting up local test and trace services and measures to make care homes, high streets and town centres Covid-secure.
In total, the Government has provided local authorities across England with more than £7 billion in additional support and introduced a range of measures to help council’s manage pressures on their finances created by the pandemic, worth billions more. A further £3 billion will be allocated to councils from April onwards.
Commenting on the findings, MP for North East Bedfordshire, Richard Fuller, said:
“Councils across Bedfordshire have done an incredible job providing local services and keeping people safe under the most difficult of circumstances, but we recognise the financial pressures they have faced.
“That’s why I am delighted that the government has supported council leaders across Bedfrodshire with an extra £86m since March last year, helping to protect vital services and ensure our council has the resources it needs to support our community.
“This shows that the government is delivering on its promise to support vulnerable families and local people during the pandemic, and I am confident this will continue.”
