An additional £1.6 billion in emergency funding has been allocated to councils across England to help deal with crippling costs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

Individual councils in England had their allocations confirmed on Tuesday, April 28 following Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick’s announcement of the £1.6 billion package.

South-east London authorities are among those to tap into the desperately-needed funds, which comes off the back of an initial £1.6 billion in emergency funding announced in March.

The latest boost will see Greenwich receive £7,939,313 (in addition to £9,174,867 the authority received in March), while Bexley will get  £6,763,805 (£6,022,339 received in March) and Bromley £9,067,837

(£7,572,304 in March).

Neighbouring Lewisham will receive £8,362,545, after getting £9,598,134 in the first funding round.

It comes as local authorities deal with much of the heavy-lifting in the battle against the deadly virus, with their work ranging from getting rough sleepers off the streets, supporting vulnerable people and providing assistance for the public health workforce.

Not only that, many authorities have played key roles in sourcing personal protective equipment for front-line health and care workers, as well as co-ordinating food bank and domestic violence services across their boroughs.

MP Robert Jenrick, the Local Government Secretary, said councils were “playing a central role in our national fight against coronavirus”.

“That’s why I announced an extra £3.2 billion of support for councils to help them to continue their extraordinary efforts,” he said.

“We are backing local district councils and a clear majority will receive at least £1m in additional funding.”

The government has confirmed the funding will not be ringfenced, meaning councils will retain autonomy on how to best meet pressures in their local area.