COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed £550,000 in funding awarded to Barrow Council by the Government.

The money comes a part of a £900 million government that promises to help ease the financial burden on councils during the coronavirus crisis.

Since the start of the pandemic, Barrow Council has received £1.73 million in extra support from the Government, helping to cover its coronavirus-related costs.

It has also been announced that South Lakeland District Council will receive £100,000 in new funding. It has received a total of £1.5 million to date.

Furness MP Simon Fell said: “The over £650,000 announced today is hugely welcome and will ease financial pressures on both Barrow and South Lakes councils and ensure they are able to continue providing vital local services this winter.

“Just like we said we would stand behind people whose jobs are at risk – with over £200 billion so far to project jobs, incomes and businesses throughout and beyond this pandemic – this Conservative government is keeping its promise to local authorities and ensuring they have the resources they need to continue supporting people”

The funding has not been ring-fenced, meaning local leaders will be able to determine how to spend the additional funding in order to best protect public health, local vulnerable people and the running of vital services.

This is the fourth announcement of extra direct support for local authorities since the start of the pandemic. Councils can also claim funding through a compensation scheme for lost income from sales, fees and charges.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Since the start of the pandemic, we have backed local councils with the funding they need to support their communities, protect vital services and recover lost income.

“This extra £1 billion funding will ensure that councils have the resources that they need over the winter and continue to play an essential role on the front line of our response to the virus."

Councillor Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said: "We welcome this funding which will help to cover the significant costs incurred since the start of the pandemic earlier this year.

"Our priority has always been to continue to provide essential services to residents and to support our communities through an unprecedented and difficult time.

"The need for that support is great, particularly as people across Barrow work hard to halt the spread of coronavirus under the Tier two restrictions we have in place."