Dan Peters 16 April 2020

Jenrick moves to ease cash flow pressures

New measures to help ease immediate financial pressures faced by councils in England due to the coronavirus outbreak have been announced by the Government.

Councils will be allowed to defer £2.6bn in business rates payments to central government and £850m in social care grants will be paid up front this month in a move aimed at helping to ease immediate pressures on local authority cash flow.

Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘I am determined councils get the support they need, which is why I am taking action to ease some of the immediate financial pressures they face in responding to coronavirus, helping to protect the NHS and save lives.’

Councils had raised concerns about the huge challenges facing their finances as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, including increased costs, income loss and cash flow issues.

Finance spokesman for the County Councils' Network, Cllr Carl Les, said: 'While this action is very welcome it does not represent additional funding to meet the costs of responding to the crisis, which is beginning to present real financial concerns for councils.

'Councils have significant revenue and coronavirus-related cost issues and these will only be addressed by substantive new revenue funding.

'If not, we face a real challenges in the continuation of services and budget setting later this year.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner