Romford MP Demands Overhaul To Government Funding System In Greater London.

‘The local government funding system is fundamentally broken. No matter what borough we come from, the current system simply is not working.’

Andrew Rosindell Member of Parliament for Romford, has called for a fundamental overhaul of the local government funding system in London, highlighting the long-standing disparity between outer and inner London boroughs. 

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on London Government funding, Mr Rosindell stressed the urgent need for a fairer and more effective funding formula to support local services in outer London areas, such as Havering.

In his speech, Mr Rosindell stated:

“The local government funding system is fundamentally broken. No matter what borough we come from, the current system simply is not working. We are all suffering local services that are inadequate. Funding is not there for essential services, and we are seeing money spent on things in local government that I believe are wasted.”

Mr Rosindell highlighted the specific challenges faced by outer London boroughs, including Havering, Bromley, and Hillingdon, which contribute significant funding to the Greater London Authority (GLA) despite seeing little return for their communities. He pointed out that this imbalance has existed for decades, long before the creation of the GLA and the office of the Mayor of London.

“Outer-London areas are funding inner London. We have been doing that for many decades, not just since the Greater London Authority and the mayor were created, but under both Governments,” Mr Rosindell said.

Calling for a bipartisan approach to solving the problem, Mr Rosindell urged the Government to take decisive action:

“Without fundamental change, the problem will go on and on. What we need is less, but more effective, government. We need spending on the right things. We need to give control back to our local areas and to have less control by central Government and the Greater London Authority.”

Mr Rosindell emphasised that Havering, which has long suffered from an outdated and unfair funding formula dating back to the 1960s, faces unique challenges due to its large older and younger populations and shifting demographics. He argued that outer London areas, which were once considered wealthier, have seen significant demographic changes, but the funding system has failed to adapt accordingly.

“We need to completely change how we deal with this issue. Fiddling around with the figures at the edges will not solve it; we need root-and-branch reform of how local government operates in the Greater London area… Outer London has always been poorly funded and unfairly treated.”

Concluding his remarks, Mr Rosindell urged the Minister to commit to supporting outer London boroughs and ensuring that local government funding reflects the realities of modern-day London.

“I hope the Minister will pledge that support, because all our constituents need change.”

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