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Bristol mayor calls on chancellor to underwrite true cost of pandemic
Marvin Rees has slammed Government support so far as “wholly inadequate” as he called on the chancellor to underwrite the true cost of the pandemic.
In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the mayor said councils are leading the response to the crisis to ensure vital support reaches the most vulnerable citizens, but this is placing a burden on already-stretched finances.
Bristol has received £26.4m in Government support from a £3.2bn national pot, but this fails to cover the £29m in additional costs, on top of which, the council faces an £80m blackhole in lost revenue due to the coronavirus outbreak. This is money that underpins the council’s ability to fund critical frontline services.
is needed now More than ever
The letter states the additional funding will only sustain operations for a short-term period of time; at best up to May 2020.
Rees is calling on the Government to reconsider its approach and deliver on its promise to provide local authorities with the resources they need by introducing a fairer model of funding to protect the young, elderly and most vulnerable.
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Read more: ‘Huge challenges’ for Bristol as council faces £82m financial hole
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“We’ll continue to work hard to sustain this frontline response, but we’re mindful of the prominent role we could be playing in supporting the economic recovery, helping our communities and businesses get back on their feet.
“Councils like Bristol cannot lead the local efforts with one arm tied behind their backs. The Government package so far is wholly inadequate and disappointing given the commitment to provide councils with the resources required during this crisis.
“It is too early to indicate when, or if, the council’s finances will recover. The crisis has shown the value of public services and therefore the Government must act quickly to put in place a package of support that truly reflects the financial pressures we’re faced with and the vital role councils play in rebuilding the economy.”
The letter says the per capita allocation methodology used in calculating the funding “does not reflect the need and scale of the pressures the council is facing”.
Main photo by CB Bristol Design
Read more: 84 per cent of businesses unable to cope if coronavirus crisis lasts six months
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