Four councils that are unable to balance their budgets will receive emergency funding from the Government.

The councils - Bexley, Eastbourne, Luton and Peterborough - have been granted the support due to their 'unique circumstances or residual issues'.

The councils have each been awarded a Capitalisation Direction enabling them to borrow in order to fund revenue costs.

Bexley LBC has been issued a capitalisation directive for £3.87m, and will receive just over £6m in grant funding.

Teresa O'Neill, council leader, said: 'The directive is a further tool to help us manage the financial uncertainty the pandemic has created. We will only use it if we need to.'

Luton Council will be allowed to borrow up to £35m and Eastbourne Council will be allowed to borrow £6.8m to fund services this year.

Luton Council leader, cllr Hazel Simmons, said: 'I welcome the exceptional financial support that the Government has agreed to provide to Luton Council which recognises the catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on our airport.'

Peterborough City Council will receive an additional £4.8m and up to £20m for 2021/22 through the Capitalisation Direction.

Cllr John Holdich, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: 'We are delighted with the positive response we have received from MHCLG to our request for exceptional financial support. In allowing us a Capitalisation Direction, they are acknowledging that the council has done everything it can to deliver much-needed services efficiently. This includes the implementation of a financial recovery programme and an extensive review of our services and contracts to ensure they are achieving best value.'

The Isle of Wight Council will receive £50,000 to review the challenges face by the council.

MPs have attacked 'broken' council funding as the settlement for 2021-22 was passed in the House of Commons.