Social care was the main issue on the agenda when Havering MPs met with the new minister for local government earlier this week.

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez and Councillor Roger Ramsey met with MP Rishi Sunak on Monday, to discuss issues including, the impact of adult social care and the need to retain the transition grant for Havering.

It was put forward to the Minister that Havering gets a raw funding deal as an outer London borough.

Mr Rosindell said: “It was great to represent the interests of the borough and have a productive meeting with MP Rishi Sunak, we must ensure Havering gets the financial support it requires.

“Local government operates in a society that is constantly changing, and the system of financing local government needs to reflect that.

“We are often the lowest funded London boroughs despite having the highest proportion of older people.”

Ms Lopez added: “Havering is doing all it can to be more efficient and financially self-sufficient in the long-term but in the short-term these measures will not be enough to offset the growth pressures being placed on council offers.

“The disparity of treatment between inner and outer London is one of the things I pledged to raise with government when I first got elected in June, and our meeting with the Minister marks an important step in fulfilling that promise.”

Cllr Ramsey emphasised the need for Havering’s large senior population to be taken into account. He said: “In Havering we have 46 care homes, whereas Barking and Dagenham have about 15. The way in which government grants are distributed, does not reflect that competitive need.

“We took the opportunity of explaining the concerns we have, which is based on the fact that the way in which government funding is distributed is out of date and doesn’t reflect particular needs in our area.

“It was a very useful meeting and the new minister was very receptive of our needs. He comes from a constituency in North London which is in some ways similarly disadvantaged. We always take the opportunity to make sure we are fighting Havering’s corner.”