Spending Commitments to Local Councils

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Scriven

Monday 22nd July 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

The noble Lord is a great champion of libraries, culture and arts in this Chamber. The severe pressure that local authority funding has come under in recent years has had a particular impact there. We will want to look closely at whether we can help alleviate those pressures. Libraries provide such a fantastic resource for our communities, as do the leisure facilities that local authorities provide.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president to the Local Government Association. Will the Government support a pilot in one area, as laid out by the Institute for Government, for a small tax assignment scheme to test what it says will be the positive impact for local areas’ revenue? If not, why not?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I am sure that officials in my department are looking with great care at the report concerned. We will consider all the recommendations in it with due care, as we always would.