Greater Manchester Councils Overlooked for £600m Recovery Fund

Two councils in Greater Manchester miss out on crucial funding, raising concerns about financial stability and support for local services

Greater Manchester Councils Overlooked for £600m Recovery Fund
Greater Manchester Councils Overlooked for £600m Recovery Fund

Manchester: So, it turns out that Stockport and Trafford councils didn’t get any of that £600 million Recovery Grant the government handed out. Can you believe it?

They missed out on funds meant for areas that really need it. The money was supposed to help councils with high demand for services, but these two were left empty-handed.

According to the council leaders, this snub is making it tough for them to keep their budgets in check. Mark Hunter, the leader of Stockport council, was pretty vocal about it.

He pointed out that Stockport is one of just three metropolitan councils in the whole country that didn’t get a penny. The other two? Trafford and Solihull. Talk about being on the wrong side of the funding line!

Mark mentioned that Stockport is just 0.01% below the funding threshold, which seems a bit harsh. It’s frustrating when you’re so close but still get nothing.

And it’s not just about the money; it’s about managing the council’s finances moving forward. They’re looking at a £25 million budget gap this year, which could balloon to over £60 million by 2028.

A spokesperson from Trafford council echoed these concerns, saying the funding distribution doesn’t reflect the real struggles they face. They’re still pushing the government for a fairer deal.

Stockport is a mixed bag when it comes to wealth. Some areas are doing well, while others, like Brinnington, are really struggling. A report even showed that people born in Brinnington could lose a decade of their lives due to poverty compared to wealthier areas.

It’s a tough situation, and the councils are feeling the pressure. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was asked for their take on this, but we’re still waiting to hear back.

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