Lincolnshire MPs and council leaders make case for fairer funding to government

Lincolnshire MPs and council leaders have met with senior government figures in a bid to secure a fairer funding deal for the county.

MPs Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham), Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness), John Hayes (South Holland and the Deepings), Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) and Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) made the case for a better deal for Lincolnshire to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Minister of State Marcus Jones.

They were joined by council leaders Martin Hill (Lincolnshire County Council), Craig Leyland (East Lindsey District Council), Richard Wright (North Kesteven District Council), and county council chief executive Tony McArdle.

The Fairer Funding campaign pushes for recognition of the unfairness in current funding, which sees urban areas receive more funding per head.

Leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter

Councillor Hill, who has been a central figure in the campaign, said: “We are still expecting reductions in funding over the next two to three years, and as people will be aware, the government has committed to introducing a fairer funding system for local government in England and Wales.

“At the moment, Lincolnshire is nearly at the bottom of the list in funding arrangements for the whole of the country.

“We see this as a great opportunity to actually support the government in its commitment to a fairer funding regime but at the same time making sure that the formula the government uses is fairer to all, especially to Lincolnshire.

“We have a lot of support for that.”

Conservative candidate in the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election, Caroline Johnson. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter

Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Caroline Johnson added: “I am grateful to the Secretary of State for seeing us today, and for listening to the case we have put forward.

“It is encouraging that he was understanding of the problems that we face in Lincolnshire, and that he is committed to looking again at how funding is allocated.

“I am hopeful that we will see further action on this in the near future, and I will be keeping up the pressure on the department.”