MPs slam 'profoundly disappointing' funding package

A group of MPs have called for an urgent meeting with the government over a local authority's funding settlement.

Somerset's six Liberal Democrat MPs said Somerset Council had been offered a "profoundly disappointing" funding package, which amounted to around a 1% increase for the next financial year.

The politicians said they are worried local people will have to pay higher council taxes as a result and argued the county faces higher costs as a result of its rural setting.

The government said in response it was fixing "the outdated and unfair funding system we inherited" and was "absolutely committed" to rural communities.

Taunton and Wellington MP, Gideon Amos, said the council would receive a "very small" funding increase from central government in the next financial year from £249m to £252m.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said it was making "almost £78bn available for council finances next year".

"For 2026-27, Somerset Council will have available a core spending power of £685m, a 13.5% increase from 2024-25."

Amos said this overall increase was based on further funding for services, such as adult social care, coming from local council tax rises.

"It's really unfair if council tax-payers are expected to shoulder the whole burden of the social care crisis...the costs are soaring enormously," he said.

He said he was "optimistic" the Somerset Liberal Democrat MPs would have a meeting with the local government minster next week.

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