Covid-19: Local Government Finance

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Greenhalgh]

My Lords, this is the time for a comprehensive plan to stabilise finances. As I have said, that announcement will be made shortly.

[Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD) [V]]

Does the Minister not accept that one of the consequences of this is the risk that cultural venues will be decimated in the areas affected? With them go not just the institutions themselves but their vital outreach programmes; the Minister mentioned them in an earlier answer. Will the Government commit to adequate funding being put in place to ensure that this essential engagement with vulnerable groups can and will continue?

[Lord Greenhalgh]

My Lords, there is no doubt that there is pressure on the funding of our cultural institutions, but we must recognise that there has already been a commitment of £27 billion to local areas to support councils and their communities, including the £3.2 billion to deal with demand pressures. I recognise the important role played by cultural institutions in supporting many in our communities.