Blackpool MP quizzes Boris Johnson over support for resort

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton highlighted the issue with Boris Johnson during Prime Minister’s Question on Wednesday.

It comes after thousands of people signed a petition calling on the Government to “close Blackpool” amid fears about the high rate of confirmed cases in the town.

​Mr Benton told Mr Johnson: “Over the past few weeks Blackpool has been inundated with visitors, and the images of people not social distancing and leaving our beaches strewn with litter have angered my constituents at a time when they are doing the right thing and following government advice.

“The fact that Blackpool has one of the highest infection rates in the nation has only heightened these fears. ​

​”What assistance is the government providing to help areas such as Blackpool to deal with the influx of visitors at a time when local services are already under pressure?”​

​Mr Johnson said in his reply Blackpool Council had received £9m in additional funding from the government to help provide extra services during the pandemic.

He said: “In addition to the £3.2bn we have already given to local councils to help combat coronavirus, Blackpool is receiving another £9m in particular, as well as the funding from the high street fund and towns fund to deal with the particular problems he rightly identifies.”

Blackpool Council received £6m in the first round of Covid-19 funding for councils, and £3.8m in the second tranche, but says it has spent around £21m on providing extra support and services with additional cash coming from its own reserves.