Myself, Joe Morris MP (Hexham) and Emma Foody MP (Cramlington and Killingworth) have welcomed a £102m funding increase for Northumberland County Council (NCC) from 2024-2029.

The Labour Government’s recent ‘Fair Funding Review’ means more funding will be going to NCC from central Government from now until 2029. This is on top of an extra £25m last year and is great news for our area.

The three of us said, ‘This is contrary to scaremongering from Conservative councillors over the past weeks, whose warnings about cuts have proven to be nonsense. They now have millions more to invest in our local services.

‘This is a multi-year settlement, which means long-term certainty for NCC. Local councillors now have the resources and stability to deliver for residents instead of scoring party political points on residents’ time.’

Funding for NCC increased by just 6% from 2015-2020 under the Conservatives. Under Labour, funding is increasing by 25% over a similar period.

”We’re pleased that funding is being properly allocated, with the wealthiest areas now contributing to counties like Northumberland where a mix of rurality and deprivation creates unique problems. The broadest shoulders should always bear the greatest burdens.’

‘Our challenges need proper funding support, whether SEND, adult social care, or school transport, and this extra hundred million pounds recognises that.’

You can read more at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-2026-2027-to-2028-29.