asked Her Majesty's Government:

How their policies to tackle and reduce poverty levels will be affected by the real-terms cut in the 2008–09 budget of Southwark Council as a result of the government grant settlement. [HL1190]

The local government settlement announced in the CSR is sufficient to enable local government to deliver against its targets, including those on poverty.

Under the Government's proposals for 2008-09, Southwark Council is provisionally set to receive an increase in formula grant of £4.374 million, or 2.0 per cent, when compared to 2007-08 on a like-for-like basis. When other grants are taken into account, Southwark will receive an increase of £9.6 million in 2008-09.

Local authorities have considerable freedom in how they set their budget, bearing in mind local priorities. It is for Southwark Council to decide how to apportion its resources between the services it provides.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What impact the 2008–09 government grant settlement for local authorities will have on front-line services for the most vulnerable members of local communities; and how they will affect the policy goal of reducing poverty, deprivation and inequality. [HL1191]

The provisional settlement for 2008-09 gives a continued real-terms increase in funding for local government which will allow authorities to continue to deliver effective, high- quality services at an affordable cost. The increase in government grant for local services since 1997 will be 45 per cent in real terms by the end of the spending review 2007 period.

The 2008-09 settlement proposals ensure that all authorities will receive an increase in formula grant.