Lost income and increased expenditure as a result of Covid-19 are presenting an enormous financial challenge for councils across the country. Covid comes on top of a decade of Government funding cuts to local authorities. In Nottingham, we receive more than ?100 million less each year to fund local services than we did ten years ago. Our ability to cope financially has been severely affected by austerity. Councils are needed now more than ever to help local areas recover from the severe health, social and economic impacts of Covid, but to respond we need adequate resources. Government has failed to meet its pledge to fully cover the cost of Covid to councils; the national funding gap now stands at ?7.4 billion.

Our costs and lost income due to pandemic are estimated to be ?87.9m, but so far the Government has only committed ?23.5m to Nottingham. This funding gap has forced the council this week to propose an additional ?12.5m of budget cuts which will affect local services and result in job losses. These are extremely difficult decisions to have to make. We?ve been determined to protect universal free services for our residents where possible and we?ve prioritised those services upon which our most vulnerable residents rely. ?This includes care services for older people and employment support for young people who find themselves out of work. We?ve also defended parks, community centres, libraries, care services and leisure centres.

The Government is grossly underfunding local services in such a time of need. The current crisis has seen Nottingham?s key workers step up when they were needed most, we now need to the Government to pay up and deliver on its promise to stand ?shoulder to shoulder? with local authorities. ?

Find out more about our proposed emergency savings and have your say in our budget consultation

This pandemic has shown how important housing is for our health and wellbeing. With the request to ?stay at home? from Government, many people have found issues such as overcrowding and poor conditions difficult. We are committed to ensuring that local people have access to good-quality, affordable housing in Nottingham.

I am really pleased that, despite the restrictions that the lockdown has brought, schemes to build new council homes for affordable rent continue. Adding to the 600 homes already built as part of the Building A Better Nottingham programme, Nottingham City Homes, on behalf of the City Council has just completed work on 20 new council homes in the Meadows and have recently gained council approval to move forward with 131 new homes in Bestwood.

Building warm, safe, and energy-efficient new housing not only regenerates sites which are no longer fit-for-purpose, but also encourages investment, creates jobs and helps to support local supply chain businesses, which will help aid the city?s recovery as lockdown measures are eased.

Find out more New council homes in Bestwood

If you are out of work, on reduced hours or looking to gain new skills, support is available for you through Nottingham Jobs.

Whatever your age or circumstances, Nottingham Jobs is a free service which can help you find or apply for jobs, update your CV, learn interview tips and much more.

Visit www.nottinghamjobs.com for more information and current job vacancies or call the team on 0115 876 4508 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm).

Register with Nottingham Jobs online and a personal adviser will contact you to find out more about the type of support you need.

You can also contact the team at [email protected] ?