Liverpool welcomes Government funding following riots

Liverpool City Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement that the city is to receive a share of funding from a newly established Community Recovery Fund following the recent riots.

The city will receive £600k from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in response to the serious violent disorder that took place in the city centre and Walton in August.

The support package can be used to partner with local communities to best support the recovery, including helping high streets, and initiatives to strengthen community cohesion.

In her letter to Chief Executive Andrew Lewis, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner thanked the Council for its work: “I would like to thank you for your work and tireless dedication during this difficult period – local authorities have been at the forefront of the response and there have been many examples of communities coming together, proving that we are much stronger than the minority whose senseless violence and intimidation has caused such damage.

“I have established a new Communities and Recovery Steering Group, which met for the first time on 11 September. Recognising the significant costs already incurred by places, the Group has agreed to launch the Community Recovery Fund to support those communities most significantly impacted. This is an exceptional fund being provided because of the widespread nature and extent of disorder, as well as the significant repercussions the unrest has had on communities and religious groups.”

Work is already under way to bring Spellow Library and Hub in Walton, which was damaged during the unrest, back into use.

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “I very much welcome this announcement of funding from the Government. We are absolutely determined to do all we can to improve life for deprived communities in our city.

“We are committed to ensuring that we build back better from the events of August, including making sure that Spellow Library and Hub is absolutely at the heart of providing opportunities and support for local residents in the area.

“We are looking forward to constructive discussions with the Government about further support to tackle some of the deep-seated social problems that years of austerity have helped ferment.”