St Helens Council’s Labour leadership has welcomed the publication of the final Local Government Finance Settlement, confirming a significant funding uplift for councils most affected by historic cuts and deprivation.
The settlement includes a £440 million national Recovery Grant uplift over three years, as part of a wider £78 billion package for councils across England, and marks a decisive shift away from years of unfair funding that disproportionately impacted places like St Helens.
Following weeks of discussion between local leaders and government ministers since the provisional settlement was announced in December, St Helens will receive an additional £14.7 million over the next three years, providing much-needed support for local services and greater financial certainty for the council.
The funding reflects a new, evidence-based approach to local government finance that properly recognises deprivation and the true cost of delivering services in communities with the greatest need.
The additional £14.7 million over the next three years will make a real difference to our ability to protect frontline services and support our residents, while giving the council greater certainty as we plan for the future. - Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council
Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Council, said:
“This settlement is a clear step in the right direction for communities like St Helens that were hit hardest by years of underfunding and austerity. The additional £14.7 million over the next three years will make a real difference to our ability to protect frontline services and support our residents, while giving the council greater certainty as we plan for the future.”
“Writing off the vast majority of historic SEND deficits is a hugely important intervention. It recognises that councils have been struggling with a broken system for too long and helps protect vital support for children and young people with special educational needs, while easing unsustainable financial pressures on councils.”
“This has been a real team effort by the Labour MPs and Labour Leaders across the city region. We’ve joined together, held numerous meetings in Westminster with Government and lobbied for fairer funding. The fact that nearly a fifth of the national uplift is coming to our region shows that government has listened and understands where the need is greatest”
Between 2010 and 2024 under the Tories, central government funding for St Helens Council was cut from £127m a year to just £13m a year. Now under a Labour government we are turning the page - David Baines, MP for St Helens North
Commenting on the announcement, David Baines, MP for St Helens North, said:
“The provisional settlement was good but not good enough. After it was published just before Christmas we met with ministers and I also made the case for our communities personally with the Prime Minister. I am delighted to say we’ve secured a better deal for our borough as a result.
Between 2010 and 2024 under the Tories, central government funding for St Helens Council was cut from £127m a year to just £13m a year. Now under a Labour government we are turning the page.
This improved settlement shows the benefit of having a Labour council and a Labour government working together. It’s not a fight, it’s a conversation, and I will always do all we can to secure the best deal for our borough.”
Having a Labour council working in partnership with a Labour government is already making a real and practical difference. After years of pressure on our council’s finances, this is a much-needed change in direction. - Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston
Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston said:
“This outcome shows what can be achieved when local MPs and the council work together and have a government that is willing to listen and engage. After the initial settlement was published, it was clear more could be done, so we took that case directly to the minister for local government and made sure the voices of St Helens were heard.
That constructive approach has paid off. This isn’t about grandstanding or political point-scoring: it’s about having honest conversations, making the case for our communities, and securing a better outcome as a result. Having a Labour council working in partnership with a Labour government is already making a real and practical difference. After years of pressure on our council’s finances, this is a much-needed change in direction.
We will continue working with colleagues locally and nationally to make sure St Helens gets the support it needs and deserves”
The settlement introduces a multi-year funding framework for 2026-27 to 2028-29 and forms part of a wider package of local government reform aimed at aligning funding more closely with need and deprivation. It means that St Helens will receive a build-up of additional grant equating to £14.7m more cash as a result of the discussions.