Thank you for contacting me about Government funding to help local authorities cope with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On 19 March 2020, the government announced £1.6 billion of additional funding for local government to help them respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) pressures across all the services they deliver.
A further £1.6 billion in additional funding was announced on 18 April 2020. This extra £1.6 billion takes the total given to councils to help their communities through this crisis to over £3.2 billion.
So far, Calderdale has received just under £12 million of funding from central Government for the Covid-19 emergency which the Council estimates leaves a £16 million shortfall caused by the cost of providing additional services projected revenue costs. It is precisely because all councils face these shortfalls that the Government has asked them to provide monthly estimates of costs so that it can evaluate what is needed accurately and in as timely a manner as possible.
Moreover, I will continue to work with local people and their elected representatives on assessing the needs of the people of the Calder Valley and the best ways of meeting those needs and the resources required. My record on securing funding to tackle the consequences of the recent flooding shows that I am not afraid to argue forcefully for resources for Calderdale!
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
June 2020