- 11/02/2026
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: News
On Wednesday 11 February 2026, I was pleased to support the Local Government Finance Settlement.
Local government provides the services people rely on every day – from social care and housing to road maintenance and tackling homelessness. This settlement will give councils the security they need to rebuild local services and strengthen our communities for the long term.
This settlement includes an additional £740 million in new grant funding. By the end of the multi-year period, councils will see a 15.5% increase in core spending power, worth over £11.4 billion compared with 2025-26. It restores a clearer link between funding and deprivation, ensuring that resources are directed towards the areas with the greatest need.
The package also includes nearly £3 billion over four years to reform children’s social care, significant support to address SEND pressures – including grants covering 90% of historic high-needs deficits up to 2025-26 – and a £272 million uplift for homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse services. In addition, the Recovery Grant will see £2.6 billion invested over this Parliament in the most deprived councils.
These measures demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening local government and putting services on a sustainable footing.
The Motion was voted on and carried: Ayes 277, Noes 143
Police Grant Report (Government Motion)
Government announces £1.3 billion boost in police funding for 2026-27, bringing overall funding up to £21 billion. On Wednesday (11 February 2026), the Policing Minister set out set out the final police funding settlement for 2026-27.
The Policing Minister expressed her gratitude towards police officers, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping the public safe. She stated that is why the Government’s record cash investment in the policing system for England and Wales is so important, as it is determined to provide our police forces with the resources they need to continue their vital work.
I consider that investment and certainty is needed to strengthen our police forces, ensuring that they can meet the demands of today and the future. That is why I welcome the Government’s announcement that funding for police in England and Wales will increase up to £1.3 billion in 2026-27. This brings the overall funding up to £21 billion, which is a cash funding increase of 6.7% and a real terms increase of 4.4%.
Local police forces across the country will benefit from a total of up to £18.4 billion of available funding, an increase of £796 million from 2025-26, or 2.3% in real terms. The Government has confirmed that it has worked with a small group of forces facing particular financial pressures, where it has agreed to additional precept flexibility. To preserve national security and guard against the most severe threats, it has also provided £1.2 billion of the settlement for counter-terrorism policing.
Our police officers, staff and volunteers perform their duties with professionalism, skill and courage. These brave individuals are dedicated to keeping us safe every day, turning towards danger, offering support in their neighbourhoods, and working behind the scenes to track the latest threats to the public.
I am glad that the Government continues to recognise this important work, and that it is committed to providing police forces with the support they need. It is also right that the priority of the 2026-27 settlement is to boost visible policing in our communities, and to ensure that forces can shape their workforce to meet modern crime demands.
Other votes:
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27 – Ayes 279, Noes 90
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 – Ayes 362, Noes 107