Levelling up secretary Michael Gove hinted Christmas may come early for councils when chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveils his autumn statement this week.
He told delegates at the County Councils’ Network conference local government deserved a ‘sufficiently generous funding settlement’ and claimed he had fought their corner for funding.
But when it came to the autumn statement, he claimed: ‘I know some of what’s under the Christmas tree… but I’m not allowed to rip the paper off.’
Mr Gove also hinted at further devolution to local authorities – with a deal for Hull and East Riding expected to be announced in the Chancellor’s speech.
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