Lords debates local government finances

Debate

Lord Shipley (Liberal Democrat), vice president of the Local Government Association, put forward the debate.

This is a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.

Members speaking

Members speaking in the debate included:

• Baroness Eaton (Conservative), vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Devolution
• Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat), former local councillor for Luton Borough Council
• Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat), president of the National Association of Local Councils
• Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour), former leader of Stevenage Borough Council.

Opening the debate, Lord Shipley said:

'There is a gap in funding in the face of rising costs and rising demand, and it is widening.

We have seen cuts in parks and green spaces, in culture, museums and theatres, in youth services, and in sports, leisure and swimming pools.'

Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, responded on behalf of the government:

'The government are clear in their support for councils—there is no decline in that support—and the vital work they do to support local residents in all corners of the country… In October of last year, we announced the investment of £1.1 billion into 55 towns across the country, with each town receiving a £20 million endowment-style fund to invest over the next decade.'

Catch up

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Explore background information

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.

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