Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Harvey Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2014 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Sir Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to ensure the future of local welfare assistance schemes.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

The Government have consulted on how to fund local welfare provision in 2015-16. The Department for Communities and Local Government, with the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions, is analysing responses, alongside the DWP review into current provision. The Government will make a decision by the provisional local government finance settlement.

[Sir Nick Harvey]

The Minister will be aware of the excellent work of discretionary schemes. In my constituency alone, 446 people in desperate situations were helped in the past year. Will he please ensure that councils facing a particularly tough financial situation will receive funds and that he will bring forward something positive for them in the local government finance settlement? Otherwise, that vital work will be lost.

[Kris Hopkins]

I recognise the work of local councils in helping individuals who are in very vulnerable situations. There will be an announcement on the local government finance settlement. We will take into account what the hon. Gentleman says, but I point out that there is a £94 billion welfare safety net. We have given local authorities the opportunity to use their resources in whichever way they think is appropriate.