Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has welcomed the Government's announcement that Leicestershire County Council will see its budget increased by 5.6 per cent next year - with Leicestershire Fire receiving a 2.9per cent boost,

Mr Bridgen says it is part of the Conservatives' commitment to level up local services across the country and give them the resources they need to support their communities as we recover from the pandemic.

Local authorities in England, including Leicestershire, will receive a share of £51.2 billion local government funding next year – up £2.2 billion on this year.

Funding for key public services will again be protected, with significant extra resources dedicated to areas where they are needed most.

Mr Bridgen adds that, thanks to the investment being made by the Conservatives, Leicestershire will have an extra £23.48million to spend next year.

The local government finance settlement sets out how much councils have to spend on vital local services each year, including social care which will see a £1 billion increase in funding next year as a result of the announcement.

In total, local authorities across England will receive an extra £5 billion in support next year, including a further £1.55 billion in additional grant funding to cover costs relating to the pandemic and an extra £670 million to help families facing hardship with their council tax bills.

This is on top of the more than £7.2 billion in additional funding given to local areas throughout the pandemic so far to protect vital services that have kept vulnerable people and communities safe.

Mr Bridgen MP said: "Local authorities play a vital role in our communities, providing the crucial local services that people rely on every day.

"I am delighted that Leicestershire will have additional £23.48million funding this year thanks to this Conservative Government.

"These funds will help our local leaders make positive change in the area. Leicestershire Fire has also received an additional £1.05million funding boost.

"This builds on the significant funding boost the council received at the beginning of the year, underlying our determination to ensure all local authorities have the resources they need to drive forward our recovery in a way that works for our community as we build back better after the pandemic."

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Councils have played a critical role leading their communities during the pandemic and delivering vital local services to vulnerable people and we have supported them with £7.2 billion extra funding to date.

"That's why I am announcing a financial package that will provide over £5 billion of extra support next year. This will give councils the resources they need to lead the recovery of their communities while delivering the services that people rely on."

Mr Bridgen says that local residents have the power to veto excessive council tax rises, with a referendum being required if councils propose raising the tax by two per cent or more; Councils with responsibility for adult social care will be able to set a further three per cent increase, ring-fenced exclusively for adult social care. Anything above this level will also need to be voted on by local people.