This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42132684
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Manchester Arena attack: PM vows to cover costs | Manchester Arena attack: PM vows to cover costs |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The government will fully fund the costs of dealing with the Manchester Arena attack, Prime Minister Theresa May has said. | The government will fully fund the costs of dealing with the Manchester Arena attack, Prime Minister Theresa May has said. |
| It comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said an initial offer was "not good enough". | It comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said an initial offer was "not good enough". |
| But the PM told the Manchester Evening News: "Be in no doubt, Manchester will get the financial support it needs." | But the PM told the Manchester Evening News: "Be in no doubt, Manchester will get the financial support it needs." |
| She added in a statement that a Cabinet Office task force had been set up to oversee meeting the costs. | |
| Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a device that killed 22 people and injured 512 in the foyer of the venue at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May. | Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a device that killed 22 people and injured 512 in the foyer of the venue at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May. |
| The government had previously said Manchester would receive £12m to help cover the "exceptional costs" of the attack, with £3m being made available immediately. | The government had previously said Manchester would receive £12m to help cover the "exceptional costs" of the attack, with £3m being made available immediately. |
| But Mr Burnham said more than £17.5m had already been spent and suggested at least £10.4m more could be needed, including for the inquests into the 22 deaths and an inquiry. | But Mr Burnham said more than £17.5m had already been spent and suggested at least £10.4m more could be needed, including for the inquests into the 22 deaths and an inquiry. |
| The £12m figure would have meant local authorities being forced to cut services to make up the £5m shortfall on what had already been spent, he warned. | The £12m figure would have meant local authorities being forced to cut services to make up the £5m shortfall on what had already been spent, he warned. |
| Mrs May told the Manchester Evening News: "Be in no doubt, Manchester will get the financial support it needs - and if that costs £28m, as Andy Burnham has estimated, then that is what we will make available." | Mrs May told the Manchester Evening News: "Be in no doubt, Manchester will get the financial support it needs - and if that costs £28m, as Andy Burnham has estimated, then that is what we will make available." |
| She added in a statement that the attack was "one of the darkest moments in the city's history". | She added in a statement that the attack was "one of the darkest moments in the city's history". |
| "I promised in the wake of that appalling atrocity this government would do all it could to help victims recover and the city to heal. I repeat that commitment today," she said. | "I promised in the wake of that appalling atrocity this government would do all it could to help victims recover and the city to heal. I repeat that commitment today," she said. |
| "Where your public services have had to bear, or will bear, unexpected and exceptional costs in coping with this terrible attack, these will be met by the government. | "Where your public services have had to bear, or will bear, unexpected and exceptional costs in coping with this terrible attack, these will be met by the government. |
| "The process of making those payments is ongoing and I understand the frustration felt at the pace of delivery. | "The process of making those payments is ongoing and I understand the frustration felt at the pace of delivery. |
| "So I have taken steps to speed up our response. Over the weekend a taskforce has been established within the Cabinet Office to oversee progress and expedite payments when necessary." | "So I have taken steps to speed up our response. Over the weekend a taskforce has been established within the Cabinet Office to oversee progress and expedite payments when necessary." |
| Mrs May added that not all the funding would be needed immediately. | Mrs May added that not all the funding would be needed immediately. |
| "For example the inquests, opened and adjourned this month, will not begin until next June," she said. | "For example the inquests, opened and adjourned this month, will not begin until next June," she said. |