Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has today received a commitment in Parliament from Rishi Sunak MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing and Local Government, that the cost of services in rural areas will be part of the review of funding for rural services delivery grant
Speaking in Ministerial Questions today, Steve said:
“Councils in rural areas have received a raw deal when it comes to local government funding for many years even though the cost of delivering services in rural areas is often significantly higher.”
“Will the Minister assure me that in the local government finance review the true costs of delivering services will be considered and that rural areas will get a fair deal.”
In reply, the Minister said:
“I know my hon friend is a doughty champion for rural areas and I’m delighted to tell him that his point will be exactly considered in the fair funding formula and I’m sure he will be heartened by the local government final settlement where we increase the rural services delivery grant to its highest ever level.”
Speaking after the debate, Steve said:
“It is great to see the hard work put in by myself and my Cornish MP colleagues paying off in this pledge for a review of services for rural places like Cornwall.”
“Cornwall has been historically under-funded for years by successive Governments of every political persuasion, and I am pleased to be part of this Conservative Government that is delivering results.”
“I eagerly await the final settlement and will continue to do all I can to ensure rural areas like Cornwall get a fair deal from Westminster.”