THE borough's MPs have welcomed news Dudley is to get an extra £4million to help get the community through the coronavirus crisis.

Confirmed yesterday (Thursday) - the cash is part of a £1bn investment from the Government for local councils and it means that since the start of the pandemic Dudley Council will have received £34.25m in extra support to help cover its coronavirus-related costs and ensure it has the resources to keep providing vital services.

Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb said: “The near £4m is hugely welcome and will ease financial pressures on Dudley Council and ensure it is able to continue providing good quality local services this winter. This is on top of over £8m in other funding that has gone towards reopening our high streets, sheltering rough sleepers and supporting domestic abuse services.”

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi added: “As this funding is not ringfenced it will enable Dudley Council to target areas that have seen increased pressure during these troubling times.

“This shows a firm commitment that the Government will invest heavily in local areas like Dudley, despite the pandemic. I am very proud of our area and really pleased the Government are recognising and investing in previously forgotten towns."

The latest cash pledge is the fourth announcement of extra support for local authorities since the start of the pandemic.

Councillor David Vickers, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “We welcome these additional funds of £3.9m, which will help us to offset some of the financial pressures we are facing as a local authority as a result of the pandemic.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the funding awarded would help "ensure councils have the resources they need over the winter and continue to play an essential role on the front line of our response to the virus while protecting the most vulnerable and supporting local businesses".