Councils say Government funding for Covid-19 response is 'nowhere near enough'

Ashfield Council is to receive 1.4 million in funding

However some have warned the funding comes ‘nowhere near’ what is actually being spent to make up for the increased demand in services.

On March 19, 2020, the Government announced £1.6 billion of funding for local government

A further £1.6 billion in additional funding was announced on April 18, bringing the total given to councils to more than £3.2 billion.

Of that amount, more than £65.5 million will be given to councils in Nottinghamshire.

The Nottinghamshire County Council will get £37 million and Nottingham City Council £19.8 million.

In the districts, Ashfield will get £1.4 million, Newark & Sherwood £1.3 million, while Bassetlaw, Masnfield, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe and Gedling all get £1.2 million each.

But while the funding was welcomed, Coun Sam Webster, head of finance at the city council, said it was ‘nowhere near enough to cover the expected additional costs and lost income’ which he put at £56 million for his council.

He added: “As is the case for councils across the country, much more funding is required to help us meet our needs in vital areas like care services, homelessness support and children’s services.

“From public transport to job creation, from new house building to regenerating those parts of the local economy that are most seriously affected, councils will need to be well resourced enough to deliver if the country is to avoid a protracted economic downturn.”