Extra cash to help Sunderland deal with Brexit

City bosses are to be given extra cash to help prepare for Brexit.
Sunderland City Council is to receive extra cash to help it cope with Brexit.Sunderland City Council is to receive extra cash to help it cope with Brexit.
Sunderland City Council is to receive extra cash to help it cope with Brexit.

Ministers announced this week they had set aside a £56.6m fund to help local authorities across the country plan for the impact of the UK leaving the EU, with or without a deal.

And there is also the possibility of more money being handed out to deal with anything that comes up after the official leaving date of March 29.

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Deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, Coun Michael Mordey, said: “The council has been allocated £105,000 from the government for both 2018-19 and 2019-20.

“The government has not provided specific detail on how this funding should be used, other than it is being made available to fund additional planning and capacity as we prepare for Brexit.

“The council is also awaiting further details about Brexit from the government.”

While council chiefs are still waiting for clarity on what will happen after March 29, they do at least know how much has been set aside to help them prepare.

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All the Tyne and Wear local authorities are due to get £210,000, spread over two payments, from a fund worth about £40m.

A further £1.5m has been set aside to help councils facing disruption at ports, while £10m is being held back until after Brexit and £5m will be kept for the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government to carry out its own preparations.

James Brokenshire MP, the Communities Secretary, said: “Local authorities have a critical role to play in making a success of Brexit in their areas.

“I’m determined to ensure councils have the resources they need, which is why I’m releasing £56.5 million of extra finance to help them to deliver essential services and keep residents well-informed.

“I will continue to work closely with local leaders to ensure they are prepared to respond to any Brexit scenario.”

James Harrison , Local Democracy Reporting Service