Local Government Finance Settlement

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 11:58 am on 15 December 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Sajid Javid Sajid Javid The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 11:58, 15 December 2016

As the right hon. Gentleman will know, any funding provided to a local authority is raised through taxes, either locally or, when that funding is in the form of grants, nationally. He used the word “unfair” about this funding, but he should be aware—I know he has experience in this area—that when we allocate billions of funding from the better care fund, we take into account the council tax raising power of each area. That is the basis used, and it is the fairest way to do it. We have given councils flexibility through the precept, and we have enhanced that flexibility today so that councils are in a better position to meet local needs. That is also a sensible and fair policy. Where councils have more demand for services locally, they should be given the power to deal with that.