Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to local authorities to prepare communities to readjust following the end of the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We understand that local authorities know better than anyone the needs of local people, and that they are trying incredibly hard to balance the need to maintain services alongside wider responsibilities for the health and wellbeing of residents.
Ministers and officials have led regular engagement with local authorities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes dedicated Government Liaison Officers, support through Local Resilience Forums, and £3.2bn of additional funding – the details of which can be found (attached) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-allocations-of-1-6-billion-funding-boost-for-councils
The Government will continue to work closely with local authorities over the coming weeks and months to ensure they are managing as the pandemic progresses and we have a collective understanding of the costs they are facing.