By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
Sir Keir Starmer attempted to reassure Nottingham voters that the struggling finances of local councils are high on his agenda as he visited the area for the second time in a week.
The Labour leader attended a campaign appearance today (Tuesday, July 2) at Hucknall Town Football Club, as the battle for ballots entered the final few days ahead of Thursday’s General Election.
Nottingham City Council’s financial troubles are one of the area’s key political issues, and both Sir Keir and Conservative counterpart Rishi Sunak faced questions about the struggling authority in a final BBC TV debate last Wednesday.
During the discussion, Sir Keir appeared to stop short of any guarantee on a timeline to improve financial stability for local authorities.
But when asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Tuesday (July 2) why voters should back his party if it could not promise any extra funding for the stricken city council, Sir Keir responded: “I completely understand why people are worried about councils that are struggling financially, it’s happening across the country.
“There isn’t a magic wand, I can’t pretend there’s money available that isn’t available.”
But he added helping councils such as Nottingham would be a “day one” priority if Labour is elected into power.
Sir Keir repeated previous comments on a plan to filter more money to councils, whereby funding settlements will be changed to three-year deals, no-fault evictions would be abolished and a more stable economy would calm funding struggles.
He added: “There’s no magic wand but we will absolutely get started on this on day one.
“I can make the commitment that after the first term of a Labour government I want to make sure our councils are properly run, properly funded.
“Most importantly that residents, voters and those who live within the catchment of councils have the services that they expect, but actually that they’re entitled to.”
Mr Sunak has pointed to the Conservative Party’s recent economic progress as evidence the Tories can ease public funding concerns.
When asked during last week’s BBC debate about the issue of struggling councils like Nottingham, Mr Sunak said: “In terms of funding councils we recently announced half a billion pounds, particularly for social care, which is where some of the big pressures are, and children’s services which you alluded to, and will continue to work with councils to provide the support they need.”
He further said he would continue to roll out family hubs, where families can get advice and support.
