ONE of Oxford's MPs has said she has repeatedly called on government to honour its promise to remiburse council's Covid spending, as others confirm they are highlighting the problem.

Last week, Oxfordshire County Council’s leader Ian Hudspeth said every option was being considered for how to address the £37m funding shortfall it is facing, and did not rule out cuts to services.

The county had originally predicted a £64.4m shortfall, due to extra spending and loss of income, but Government grants have since reduced this.

In April, the county council and the five district councils in the county predicted a total of £100m funding shortfall due the coronavirus pandemic.

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A recent BBC investigation showed that five councils in different areas of the UK are on the verge of bankruptcy because of budget shortfalls during the pandemic.

In March, council leaders were told by housing minister Robert Jenrick, that the Government would support them through the pandemic.

This was taken as a promise their extra Covid-19 spending would be reimbursed.

Now, Oxfordshire’s MPs of all political persuasions have said they recognise the problems with councils' funding, and are talking to Government ministers about what can be done to help them stay afloat.

Anneliese Dodds

Anneliese Dodds, the Labour Oxford East said she has used her position as shadow chancellor to raise the issue of council funding ‘repeatedly’, including with the chancellor Rishi Sunak.

She also said that the government ‘did not seem to understand that the income of councils has gone down massively’.

Ms Dodds added: “Councils are now responsible for a lot of the economic recovery - not least, keeping our High Streets and local businesses safe. I will therefore continue to call on government to hold to their pledge of backing councils' finances, rather than going back on that promise."

Oxford Mail:

"'I have raised the issue of local authority funding repeatedly, including directly with the Chancellor, as I am deeply concerned about the impact of constrained finances on the delivery of local services. The government does not seem to understand that the income of councils has gone down massively. This comes on top of very significant additional costs, as councils have worked hard protect vulnerable people in our communities. Councils are now responsible for a lot of the economic recovery- not least, keeping our High Streets and local businesses safe. I will therefore continue to call on government to hold to their pledge of backing councils' finances, rather than going back on that promise."

Layla Moran

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said it was ‘vital’ that councils were fully funded so they could survive the crisis.She added: “The Prime Minister set out his ambitions to ‘build back better’ today, but if we can’t even keep basic local services running, what’s the point? It’s time for Robert Jenrick and Whitehall to listen, and to save our local authorities from bankruptcy.”

Oxford Mail:

“It’s vital that our councils have the funding they need to survive this crisis – they’re on the frontline and they’re going the extra mile. The Government is ignoring the pleas of council leaders on all sides, who warn what will happen to services if more is not done.

“The Prime Minister set out his ambitions to ‘build back better’ today, but if we can’t even keep basic local services running, what’s the point? It’s time for Robert Jenrick and Whitehall to listen, and to save our local authorities from bankruptcy.

“I will continue to call on the Government to give councils the financial help they need. I am incredibly grateful for everything they have done for our community – they deserve praise, not punishment.”

Victoria Prentis

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis said: “The Secretary of State [Robert Jenrick] has made it very clear that he recognises the vital role all councils have had in the immediate response to the situation. Going forward, I know that he and his Ministerial colleagues will continue to support Councils as they play a key part in helping our local economy thrive once again. I also wrote to the Minister for Local Government in the middle of June to emphasise this point.”

Oxford Mail:

“I speak to the Leaders of both Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council regularly and know that they are all working extremely hard to support our local communities and businesses during unprecedented circumstances. The Secretary of State has made it very clear that he recognises the vital role all councils have had in the immediate response to the situation. Going forward, I know that he and his Ministerial colleagues will continue to support Councils as they play a key part in helping our local economy thrive once again. I also wrote to the Minister for Local Government in the middle of June to emphasise this point.”

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Robert Courts

Witney MP Robert Courts said he would be ‘working closely with Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council and Ministers to examine any additional support that might be required’, following the current relief councils had received.

Oxford Mail:

“Local authorities have been at the forefront of the response to Coronavirus in our communities. I welcome the unprecedented package of support that the Government has provided to councils in recognition of the pressures they are facing at this time. I will be working closely with Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council and Ministers to examine any additional support that might be required.”

David Johnston

Wantage MP David Johnston said he had also been ‘feeding back’ concerns from South and Vale district councils to the Government.

He added that ‘certain categories of expenditure have created pressure and the Government is aware of this’.

Oxford Mail:

“I am in regular contact with the County Council and Vale/South and have been feeding back to Government their queries and concerns. Oxfordshire councils have had £328 million of Government funding in this period, but I know certain categories of expenditure have created pressure and the Government is aware of this.”

Henley MP John Howell was also contacted for comment.