Will Forster challenges Chancellor over lack of funding for Woking and other councils

Woking MP Will Forster has challenged the Chancellor over the lack of funding for councils like Woking in the Government’s Spending Review.

Speaking in the House of Commons following the Chancellor’s statement, Will Forster highlighted that the Government’s plans would see local council funding increase by just 1.1% next year and the year after – well below inflation – and not nearly enough for councils facing financial difficulties.

Will said:

“The Chancellor talks about 3.1% real-terms growth for councils by the end of this Parliament, but for the next two years it's just 1.1%. Councils such as mine in Woking are struggling. We’ve already seen services closed, council tax hiked and a Section 114 notice issued because of the Council’s financial crisis. What does the Chancellor say to councils across the country and to my constituents in Woking to justify this lack of investment?”

In response, the Chancellor acknowledged the figures but claimed they marked an improvement on the cuts made under previous Conservative governments.

Woking Borough Council effectively went bankrupt last year, issuing a Section 114 notice in June 2023 after racking up debts of more than £1.2 billion. Woking is now one of several councils across the country in financial crisis.

Will continued:

“Woking is on the front line of the local government funding crisis. Our residents are paying the price for years of financial mismanagement and underinvestment. The Government’s new funding plans don’t go far enough and won’t help councils that are already struggling to stay afloat. We need urgent and sustained investment in local government before more councils go the same way as Woking.”