Following the Government’s policy statement ahead of next week’s Finance Statement, local government minister Lee Rowley says he has listened to councils and understands the challenges they face

I had the privilege to serve as a local councillor for nearly a decade. Every day, I saw the key role that local Government plays in supporting communities, providing services and changing lives. Councils are the bedrock of our democracy and, whilst ever I am the minister for local government, I will always be an advocate of what they are able to achieve.

The vital role that councils play has come into even sharper relief during the pandemic. In difficult times, they were one of the public services on the frontline and millions of us came to realise how much our communities depend upon what they do. And, as we prepare for more difficult times ahead caused by global events, councils are set to become more important than ever.

Three weeks ago, at the Autumn Statement, the chancellor and Prime Minister made a clear statement that they wanted to back local government to keep doing what they are good at.