Statement from Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council

"Yesterday’s provisional local government finance settlement shows that the Government is listening to local leaders and taking the first steps in realigning funding alongside need.

"Barnsley people deserve to live good lives in a place of possibilities – this should be a given for everyone. This settlement will provide welcome relief to places like Barnsley from a decade of disproportionate cuts and increases in demand. It won’t solve all the issues we’re facing, and to balance the books and give Barnsley a better future, we still need to make difficult choices.

"We’ll be looking at the settlement in more detail and considering what it means for Barnsley. We’ll engage with the government as part of their settlement consultation process, pushing for the best possible outcome for our residents."