A CIVIC chief has warning government officials to "keep their promise" to Southampton, as the city faces a £45m coronavirus bill.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Spending Review, leader of Southampton City Council, Christopher Hammond, has warned the Chancellor to "keep the Government's promise" in supporting the city through the Covid-19 crisis. 

It comes after official documents revealed that the pandemic is set to cost Southampton City Council £45m in the 2020/21 financial year.

So far, the pandemic has already cost the council £39m with the Government granting the city £29m - leaving a £10m shortfall.

Cllr Hammond said: "They asked councils to do whatever it takes, and we have. But keeping people safe and supporting the most vulnerable has come at a cost.

"At Wednesday’s Spending Review, the Chancellor must do the right thing and fund the full amount incurred by Councils.

"Leaving us high and dry can only mean a return to disastrous austerity which was imposed over the last decade.

"People have made sacrifices for the national effort and will find this a bitter pill to swallow.

"Especially as billions are found for companies which have personal links to Conservative MPs.

"Forcing a return to cuts will only hamper the economic recovery we all desperately want to see and are working towards.”