COUNCILS across England will receive another £1.6billion, to help "unsung heroes" continue responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was made today by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick, bringing the total funds awarded to £3.2billion.

The additional funding will focus on services and people that still need more support, including helping rough sleepers, aiding new shielding programmes for clinically vulnerable people, assistance for fire and rescue services and providing more adult social care and children services.

Mr Jenrick, who described council workers as "unsung heroes", said the latest cash boost will support these authorities deal with "immediate pressures" as a result of Covid-19, as well as "protecting vital services".

He said: “Today's announcement of an additional £1.6 billion of new funding to councils means we have now provided them with over £3.2 billion during this pandemic.

“I promised local government would have the resources they need to meet this challenge and today demonstrates my commitment to doing just that. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with local government and my priority is to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time.

“[Council workers] are in the front line of the national effort to keep the public safe and deliver the services people need. Never has this been more important and we are all rightly grateful for everything that they are doing."

The breakdown of money allocation, including to Wiltshire Council, will be released "as soon as practicable", the Government has said.

Mr Jenrick has written to all councils in England to thank them for their continued efforts, as they work around the clock to support residents.