The Isle of Wight Council will be allowed to defer business rates payments to central government and social care grants will be paid upfront this month under new measures announced by the Government.
The aim of the new measures being implemented is to help ease immediate financial pressures faced by councils in England due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Councils are doing crucial work to vulnerable people and the wider communities get through this crisis. This includes delivering essential supplies to the vulnerable, paying out financial relief to local businesses and get rough sleepers into accommodation. The government wants to ensure that they have the support they need at this unprecedented time.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has said:
“Whether it be caring for the elderly, providing outpatient services, councils are providing vital support to the most vulnerable people in our society throughout this pandemic.
“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”.
These new measures mean councils will be able to defer £2.6 billion of payments they are due to make to central government over the next 3 months as part of the business rates retention scheme.
Additionally, the government will bring forward care grant payments to councils worth £850 million for both children and adults. These will now all be paid this month, rather than monthly in April, May and June, and will help provide immediate support for core frontline social care services.
Meanwhile the self-employed get bugger all despite Sunak’s promises!
Now, IWC, stop moaning about having no money. Spend what you are being given wisely, if you have a clue what that means.