Havering is to receive some additional funding from central government as a provisional package of nearly £60 billion is unveiled for local authorities.
This includes a rise in its revenue support grant from £1.5 million to £1.9 million - though still far below the £70 million Havering Council received in 2010/11.
The deal, announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), represents a nine per cent (£5 billion) increase on last year's settlement across all councils.
Among its key investments are a grant of around £2 billion for health and social care, and a new £100 million scheme for councils to protect vulnerable residents from tax rises.
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Announcing the provisional funding, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Local government plays an absolutely vital role in helping us to level up, support the most vulnerable, and deliver key services that people rely on every single day.
“We recognise the pressures councils are facing right now and this spending boost will provide the support and funding local authorities need to continue delivering first rate public services.”
For Havering, the settlement is expected to enable an increase in core spending power, which includes revenue from sources like council tax and retained business rates, from £200.2 million in 2022/23 to £218.7 million for 2023/24.
Importantly, its revenue support grant - the amount it receives from central government - is also due to be upped from £1.5 million to £1.9 million.
But this is still far below the £70 million Havering received in 2010/11, with the cut regularly featuring in the council’s communications on its current precarious financial situation.
Regarding the social care grant, Havering is due to receive £14.2 million for 2023/24. The majority of this (£8.5 million) will be a rollover of the social care grant for 2022/23.
Julia Lopez, Conservative MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, praised the investment, in particular the social care funding.
She said: “As an authority with an older population, this £2 billion in additional grant funding for social care will be especially helpful for boroughs like Havering.”
But Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, attacked the Conservative Party’s record since coming into power in 2010.
He said councils across England “have suffered cuts of over 60 per cent in real terms from the Government”, affecting services in boroughs including Havering.
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"Because of these cuts, Havering has been forced to consult on a whole package of cuts proposals which includes closing children's centres. This is a government that tries to spin stories but the truth contrasts with their stories as families and communities face the harsh reality,” he added.
The provisional settlement’s consultation will remain open to feedback until January 16. To comment, visit the consultation page here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-2023-to-2024-consultation
Romford MP Andrew Rosindell and Havering Council were also approached for comment.
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