Local Government Finance

Mohammad Yasin Excerpts

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alison McGovern]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I have every confidence in the details that we are publishing today. We will be working with local authorities, as I have said, to make sure that they can set their budgets in the normal way and move towards financial sustainability.

[Mohammad Yasin (Bedford) (Lab)]

I thank the Government for delivering an early Christmas present to my constituents in Bedford and Kempston. The granting of planning permission for the Universal Studios theme park is a landmark moment not just for the eastern region but for the whole UK, as it will bring in around £50 billion of investment and tens of thousands of jobs. Does the Minister agree that Bedford borough council, which is already under significant financial pressure, will need additional Government investment to meet the extra demand on local public services, to support growth and to put our region firmly on the global map?

[Alison McGovern]

I have to agree with my hon. Friend that it is not just the people of Bedford who are excited about Universal Studios; the excitement can be felt across the United Kingdom. Today’s settlement hopefully helps us on that journey, but I will happily meet him to discuss the impacts on Bedford and the wider area.