New analysis shows that local authorities across Greater Manchester have so far received an extra £442 million to support vital local services during the Covid-19 pandemic, with further funding confirmed for next year.
The funding boost is part of the £1,156 billion of extra support the North West has received.
Commenting on the findings, Mark Logan MP said:
“Local authorities like Bolton Council 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.
It is right that Greater Manchester has received an extra £442 million since March last year, helping to protect vital services and ensure our council has the resources it needs to support our community.”
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 maintaining green spaces.
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. A further £3 billion will be allocated to councils from April onwards.
ENDS
For more information please contact maya.roberts@parliament.uk
