Local Government Finance
Debate between Josh Fenton-Glynn and Alison McGovern(2 days, 17 hours ago)
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Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder Valley) (Lab)
I declare my interest as an officer of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities team, and as a recovering local government alumnus.
We inherited a system in which 40% of local authorities were at risk of going bust and issuing section 114 notices by March 2026, driven by a rising demand for adult and children’s services and SEND services. Communities such as mine in Calder Valley have faced those pressures every day. This settlement really matters; the new fair funding settlement gives more help to the places that need it most, and gives them long-term stability. However, more needs to be done, so can the Minister confirm that we will prioritise and value local government services and their importance to our economy?
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Josh Fenton-Glynn and Alison McGovern(2 months ago)
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Alison McGovern
As I have said a number of times on different aspects of this policy, the process is under way. If the hon. Member would like to write to me directly, I will make sure that she receives a response.
Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder Valley) (Lab)
I know that Ministers do not comment on ongoing planning applications, but may I draw the Minister’s attention to an inconsistency? Currently, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is changing its guidance on heather burning on deep peat because of climate change concerns, but there has not been a concurrent change to planning guidance on building on peat. Will the Minister agree to look at that, so that my constituents can be sure that any developments are safe and take account of climate implications?