Local Government Finance Debate

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Local Government Finance

Steve Reed Excerpts
Wednesday 18th December 2013

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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If the hon. Gentleman looks at the Birmingham case, he will find that we have been helpful to Birmingham, particularly with capitalisation. It would have been better, however, if that authority had made decisions earlier for good financial planning.

Steve Reed Portrait Mr Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab)
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The level of total spending power is central to the local government settlement, so can the Minister explain here and now how the 2.3% cut in local government spending power that the Secretary of State announced in June turned into a 15% cut for most London boroughs once the detail came through?

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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That is simply not true; we have got a protection in there. This year, it is even better than last year, so even the biggest cut in the country is only 6.9%.