Burnley MP Oliver Ryan welcomes Local Government Funding Settlement, confirming a major funding boost for Lancashire

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has welcomed the recent Local Government Funding Settlement, highlighting a significant funding boost for Lancashire. He stated the settlement is a “clear win for Burnley” following his sustained campaign to rectify a funding system he believes previously disadvantaged communities for over a decade. Lancashire experienced a loss of £54.2 million (7%) between 2015/16 and 2019/20 under the previous Conservative government, but will now gain £310 million – a 27% increase – over the current parliament (2024/25 to 2028/29).

Mr. Ryan emphasized that the settlement acknowledges the disproportionate impact of austerity on towns like Burnley and provides funding that reflects deprivation, need, and service pressures. He noted that the previous funding formula “rigged” the system, stripping money from communities that needed it most, and expressed his commitment to ensuring Burnley continues to receive its fair share of funding.

The settlement is a result of Labour’s Fair Funding Review, which aims to rebalance local government finance by directing resources towards areas with higher deprivation, weaker tax bases, and increasing demand for services – factors particularly relevant to Burnley. While acknowledging the funding won’t resolve all issues immediately, Ryan believes it is a crucial step in rebuilding local services after years of neglect and delivering tangible improvements for residents.

(Source：Burnley Express)