Following MHCLG's announcement of an additional £1bn for local authorities to fund winter pressures, CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman said:
"Since March, councils have been on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering vital support to vulnerable people and hard-hit businesses. Today's announcement of £1bn additional funding for winter pressures represents a welcome and much-needed boost to the support that has been provided to date. We also welcome the recognition of the particular difficulties faced by district and unitary authorities in sustaining leisure services that are key to public health.
"However, this 'drip drip drip' approach to financial support for the sector does little to allay uncertainty around medium-term planning or support budgets for 2021/22. As a result, the increased risk of S.114 notices has not gone away.
"Putting the sector on a sustainable footing that will better enable councils to tackle future crises requires taking a longer-term view. While the need for multi-year settlements can be postponed until the crisis has passed, to ignore this need will be detrimental to citizens and businesses."
ENDS
The full announcement and funding allocations from MHCLG can be found via GOV.UK.
About CIPFA
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. CIPFA shows the way in public finance globally, standing up for sound public financial management and good governance around the world as the leading commentator on managing and accounting for public money.