Rebecca Harris MP has welcomed the announcement that Castle Point Borough Council will see its budget boosted by £700,000, or 6.2%, to £12.8 million next year as the Conservative Government sticks to plan by more than halving inflation from 11.1 % to 4 % and giving local authorities the resources they need to support their communities in the long term and deliver a brighter future for the whole country.

The Local Government Finance Settlement sets out how much councils have to spend on vital local services each year, including social care which will see a £1.5 billion increase in funding next year as a result of the announcement. Local authorities in England, including Castle Point will receive a share of the £64.7 billion Local Government Finance Settlement next year – up £4.5 billion on this last year.

Residents will also remain protected from excessive council tax increases thanks to Conservative reforms to council tax, ensuring councils cannot impose sudden and unexpected rises in council tax on local people without a referendum. This additional funding comes on top of the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund and £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which are improving local and civic infrastructure and supporting local communities as the Conservative Government sticks to the plan to deliver a brighter future for all.

Rebecca Harris MP said:

“Castle Point Borough Council plays a vital role in our communities, providing crucial local services that people rely on, but we know councils have faced increased cost pressures. It is great news that the Council will have an additional £700,000 of funding this year, bringing the total funding to £12.8 million. This builds on the significant funding boost the council received last year, showing the Conservative Government’s plan to ensure local authorities have the resources they need is working”.

Commenting, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said:

“Today, I set out the final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25. This makes available up to £64.7 billion for local authorities in England, an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £4.5 billion on 2023-24. This settlement, and the changes we have made to address concerns raised through the consultation, will provide local authorities with the tools to support their local communities, continue to reform their services for the long-term, and to help communities prepare for the future.”