The Conservative Government has supported Bedford Council with millions of pounds of public money during the current health pandemic. It is now giving nearly £100k extra in public health funding for 2021/22 taking the total grant from Central Government to £8.9m. It fully recognises the key role of Local Councils in delivering public health services locally and the high priority we place on good public health.

This is over and above additional money that has been given by Government for the Council to address health related matters such as £450k to protect vulnerable adults, £222k to help rough sleepers with drug and alcohol dependency issues, and a £310k Workforce Capacity Fund for Adult Social Care. The Government is also funding a truly astonishing programme of mass vaccination in Bedford Borough and across the country.

In a recent Council meeting, a stage managed question between Labour Councillors wrongly sought to downplay financial support to Bedford from Central Government. Labour Councillors brazenly sought to mislead the public by selectively using figures and conveniently forgetting to mention additional financial support given to the Borough to address rough sleeping and help vulnerable adults. 

Bedford’s Conservative leader, Cllr Graeme Coombes commented:

“Additional financial support has been given to us by Central Government. It is now up to Bedford's Labour/LibDem run Council to spend this public money wisely, to recognise the importance of ensuring a fit and healthy population and to deliver public health services that actively and continually promote the health and wellbeing of Bedford Borough residents. Unfortunately, Labour are busying themselves trying to manufacture problems that don’t exist."