From the very start of the coronavirus crisis, the Government's message on local government finance was clear: whatever it takes. But since last week, when the communities secretary faced a grilling from MPs, the mood music changed. He said he would fully fund all costs for the additional COV1D-19-related services it had been asked to take on - but no more. As councils address the stark reality of funding the pandemic, and the Government reiterates its mantra that the £3.2bn emergency funding is enough, the sector and its secretary of state are caught in a stand-off over cash.
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