Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure local authorities have adequate resources to support their most vulnerable residents.

The 2020-21 settlement for local government provided local authorities with access to the largest increase in spending power in a decade to help local authorities meet rising demand in supporting the most vulnerable people in society, such as those in need of social care. In total, local authorities will have access to almost £6 billion of dedicated funding across adult and children’s social care in 2020-21.

The Government has also announced additional funding of £2.9 billion to support hospitals, councils and social care providers through the Covid-19 outbreak. Of this, £1.6 billion will go to local authorities to allow them to address increased pressures on services in their local areas, including those services that are vital for protecting vulnerable people.

In addition, we have confirmed £500 million of funding to provide additional council tax relief, and other support, for vulnerable households

The Government is also providing £3.2 million in initial emergency funding to help rough sleepers, or those at risk of rough sleeping, self-isolate to prevent the spread of coronavirus.