Why Leeds is counting the cost of the coronavirus crisis - the YEP says
Nobody can plan for a crisis on the scale of the coronavirus pandemic.
Services across the city are being stretched - be that our hospitals, local businesses and charities who are doing their best to keep their heads above water during this challenging time.
And today that very real challenge is laid bare as the leader of Leeds City Council warns the crisis could see the city end up tens of millions of pounds out of pocket.Coun Judith Blake has claimed the spiralling cost of Covid-19 is now estimated to be around £130m in lost revenue and extra services to the council.
The local authority has only received £22m towards the cost of the pandemic from central government in funding to date.
Despite a fresh announcement by the Government of an extra £1.6bn to help councils cover the costs of coronavirus, it is not yet known what portion of the new money will be allocated to Leeds.
Nobody can predict how long this crisis is going to last for but it’s coming at a price.