Written statement on Local Government Update - Dec 5

James Brokenshire (Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government): In 2016, the Government offered a multi-year finance settlement, which was accepted by 97 per cent of councils, designed to provide funding certainty over the medium term. The 2019-20 provisional settlement will consult on the final year of this four year deal, whilst confirming additional resources provided at Autumn Budget 2018, including £650 million for Social Care.

The Hudson review into local government finance, governance and processes recommended that the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement be published around 5th December. I have previously confirmed that I accept this recommendation and would aim to publish the provisional settlement on the 6th December. This confirmation was made prior to the scheduling of the meaningful vote.

I recognise that my parliamentary colleagues will wish to engage thoroughly in these debates and will also wish to consider the proposed Local Government Finance Settlement for 2019-20. I have therefore decided to announce the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement after this protected period, by way of an oral statement. I can confirm that the usual period for making representations on the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement will not be truncated as a result.