Maria Slams Government Cuts to COVID-19 Council Funding

30th April, 2020

A graph showing the decrease in funding given to Liverpool and Knowsley Councils from the Government

At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, promised to stand “shoulder to shoulder with local government” and said that he’d do whatever it takes to help Councils tackle COVID-19.

Yet, instead of helping to meet the massive costs incurred in fighting Coronavirus, the Government has, this month, slashed the funding to our Councils. Compared with last month Liverpool has received 35 per cent less money and Knowsley 39 per cent less, even though these areas have a higher incidence of COVID-19 than the UK average and higher levels of deprivation.

Together with MPs from across Liverpool, I’ve written the Communities Secretary to press our concerns about this cut in funding, ask for clarity about the way the funding was calculated and ask for a virtual meeting to discuss this crucial issue further. You can read our letter below.

Rest assured, I’ll be doing all I can to make sure the Government makes good on its earlier promise and gives us the funding we need to fight coronavirus in our city.