A minister has told Dominic Raab he will review the council grant system he claims leaves Elmbridge out of pocket.

The Esher and Walton MP raised the issue in Parliament with Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on Monday, January 17.

Mr Raab raised the issue in his maiden speech in June, saying “no county pays more to the Treasury than Surrey's taxpayers, yet we get back just one third of the national average level of funding for local services.”

Mr Pickles said: “It is certainly our intention to review the formula and to try to place it on a fair basis.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Raab said: “I am reassured this is something the Government will look at as part of the local finance review. Taxpayers in Elmbridge contribute an enormous amount of revenue.

“It is only fair the funding we get back is both transparent and based on an objective assessment of real need, instead of politicised priorities.

“Elmbridge Council has planned effectively to make sure we can absorb the cuts we need to stabilise the public finances. However, over the long term we can't keep being taxed more and more, whilst getting back less and less in terms of funding for local services.”