Local Government Finance

Kate Green Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Kris Hopkins]

I respect the wise words of my hon. Friend. He is right: the council tax has dropped 11% as a consequence of the actions that we have taken. It doubled under the previous Government. There is a need to move away from grant and to grow local economies. The best councils are now stepping up to the mark and growing those economies. On the better care fund, it is a difficult issue, but we are facing up to it. Where previous Governments have failed to do this, we will deliver savings and ensure that those vulnerable people are getting a decent service and the dignity that they need.

[Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)]

What assessment has the Minister made of the likely impact on some of the most vulnerable people—disabled people, low-income families with children and women fleeing domestic violence—of his plans not to put more money into local welfare assistance and not to protect that funding?

[Kris Hopkins]

As I have already said, the 10% of areas that are most deprived will receive 40% more than the least deprived. Issues of domestic violence are important to this Government and we have put additional moneys—some £10 million— into that. We will constantly monitor resources related to the issues the hon. Lady raises.