Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many funds are allocated to local authorities by his Department through a process of competitive bidding; and if he will publish the names of those funds.

The Government is committed to providing local authorities with the flexibility they need to use funding in a way that responds to local needs and priorities. The Local Government Finance settlement and the vast majority of local government’s Core Spending Power (£51.3bn) is un-ringfenced, giving local authorities flexibility over their spending decisions. Local authorities also receive significant funding through unringfenced Section 31 grants.

There are times when dedicated competitive biddable funding streams are the best way to make sure local authorities receive the support they need to deliver the Government’s objectives, including specific funding initiatives, trials or pilots. In such circumstances, HM Treasury works closely to support Departments as they seek to maximise value for money by considering the timing, value and conditions attached to any funding.

HM Treasury does not distribute any biddable funds to local authorities as these are administered separately by departments.