George Eustice, Member of Parliament for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle has welcomed news from the Secretary of State for Local Government that Cornwall Council will be receiving additional funding as part of a £1.6billion package announced today.

Councils across England will receive a further £1.6 billion to help them to deal with the immediate impacts of coronavirus, taking the total funding to support councils to respond to the pandemic to over £3.2 billion.

Local MP, George Eustice said, "During this Coronavirus Crisis it is welcome to see that the Government is providing additional funding to local authorities to help them support the most vulnerable in our society.

"The funding will help the council to continue to provide vital services to those who need it the most, including helping rough sleepers off the street, supporting new shielding programmes for clinically vulnerable people and assistance for our public health workforce and fire and rescue services. Alongside my Cornish colleagues, I have been working hard to ensure that Cornwall continues to receive the support that it requires during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and its welcome to see the Government recognise the concerns that has been raised."

Commenting, Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:  

“Today’s announcement of an additional £1.6 billion of new funding to councils means we have now provided them with over £3.2 billion during this pandemic. I promised local government would have the resources they need to meet this challenge and today demonstrates my commitment to doing just that. We stand shoulder to shoulder with local government and my priority is to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time. 

"Up and down the country council workers are the unsung heroes as we tackle this virus. They are in the front line of the national effort to keep the public safe and deliver the services people need. Never has this been more important and we are all rightly grateful for everything that they are doing. This new funding will support them through immediate pressures they are facing to respond to coronavirus and protect vital services.”