Minister

For decades, Local Government Funding has not recognised that delivering services in beautiful rural areas like ours is more expensive. It is time we end rural disadvantage and improve rural infrastructure investment.

I was delighted to help secure £23.7 million in Levelling Up Funding in January 2023, a once in a generation amount of money which will shape the future of our communities. Progress continues to be made for plans including a National Medi-Tech Innovation Centre, a rural bus network and revamping our tourism offer at Rutland County Museum. I also secured the creation of the Rural Prosperity Fund which benefited all our Councils and communities.

Last year I published a report with UK Onward calling for the Government to incorporate social mobility into Local Government funding formulas. Our report presents further evidence of the historic underfunding in our communities, the detrimental effect this has on our children growing up in areas of poor social mobility, and a clear funding proposal to resolve this. I will continue to do all I can to incorporate this proposal into their funding formulas, and secure the fair deal we deserve.

Rurality should never serve as a barrier to our rural communities, and I will continue to fight to bring fairness to local Government funding to ensure we get the support and infrastructure we need.

 

News

Local Funding Boost for Social Care Staff this Winter

The Government has today announced funding for Leicestershire and Rutland to support social care staff this Winter. Leicestershire is set to receive £33,173,679 in funding and Rutland will receive £1,792,854 in funding. The money can be used flexibly based on our local need, including to increase

Casterton College Timeframe Set Out for School Rebuilding Investment

The Department of Education has now placed Casterton College Rutland in group two out of the three groups for schools who have received funding from the Government's School Rebuilding Programme. Group two schools are currently expected to enter delivery from April 2025. Alicia Kearns, Member of Pa

Alicia Kearns MP Supports Campaign to Raise Approved Mileage Allowance

In a Westminster Hall Debate on raising the Approved Mileage Allowance from 45p/per mile to 60p/per mile, Peter Gibson MP raised concerns on Alicia Kearns MP's behalf. Alicia Kearns MP, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton said: "The rurality of our communities across Rutland, Melton, the V

Barrowden Village Hall Awarded £300,000

The Government has announced £300,000 for Barrowden Village Hall Development Group following their successful bid, supported by local MP Alicia Kearns, for a share of the Government’s Community Ownership Fund. The group bid for funding to invest in a new community hub in Barrowden, replacing the 96

Seven Local Schools Awarded Funding for Refurbishment

Seven more schools across Rutland and Melton are set to receive a share of the £456 million Government investment to improve school buildings across the country.  This funding is part of the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund, aimed at creating an improved learning environment for pupils,

23 Primary Schools in Rutland and Melton Awarded Sparsity Funding

23 primary schools across Rutland and Melton have been given up to £56,300 in Government funding as part of the National Funding Formula’s (NFF) sparsity factor.  The NFF aims to account for the particular challenges faced by small schools in rural areas by providing specific funding.

Rutland and Melton Councils Awarded £23m in Levelling Up Funding

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that Rutland County Council (RCC) and Melton Borough Council’s (MBC) joint levelling up bid has been successful.  RCC and MBC submitted a joint bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) round 2 in August 2022.

Leicestershire Announced as the First County to Roll Out 'Gigahubs'

Working in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS), Leicestershire will be the first county in the country to roll out ‘GigaHubs’, significantly improving broadband access and speeds in rural areas.  Leicestershire County Council is creating more than 40

Black Horse Community Group Awarded £245,395 in Government Funding

The Black Horse Community Group in Melton, a Community Benefit Society (CBS), has successfully bid for a share of the Government’s Community Ownership Fund and will be awarded £245,395 in funding.  The group bid to buy The Black Horse Pub in Grimston and to continue its original use as a commu