Local Government Finance Settlement 2019-20

James Brokenshire Excerpts

Wednesday 5th December 2018 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (James Brokenshire)]

In 2016, the Government offered a multi-year finance settlement, which was accepted by 97% of councils, designed to provide funding certainty over the medium term. The 2019-20 provisional settlement will consult on the final year of this four-year deal, while confirming additional resources provided at autumn Budget 2018, including £650 million for social care.

The Hudson review into local government finance, governance and processes recommended that the provisional local government finance settlement be published around 5 December. I have previously confirmed that I accept this recommendation and would aim to publish the provisional settlement on 6 December. This confirmation was made prior to the scheduling of the meaningful vote.

I recognise that my parliamentary colleagues will wish to engage thoroughly in these debates and will also wish to consider the proposed local government finance settlement for 2019-20. I have therefore decided to announce the provisional local government finance settlement after this protected period, by way of an oral statement. I can confirm that the usual period for making representations on the provisional local government finance settlement will not be truncated as a result.

[HCWS1145]