To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the average change in the level of central Government funding for a local authority in the next four years.

The spending review 2010 provides a fair though challenging settlement for local government. It enables the Government to tackle the massive budget deficit and drive economic growth, while protecting the interests of hard working families and the most vulnerable in society. It provides significant new freedoms and flexibilities for local government to enable councils to become more efficient and effective in delivering local public services.

The picture for individual local authorities will be dependent on decisions on both formula grant distribution and on individual specific grants. We will announce our proposals for the distribution of formula grant in the usual manner in due course. Our aim is also to make as much information available on other grants at the same time.