Luton BC has indicated it would be highly resistant to selling Luton Airport to help shore up its finances after receiving £35m in emergency support from the government. The Labour-controlled council said the airport, which it owns through a subsidiary company, was vital to the town’s economy and that its community benefits would be “put at risk in private hands”. So far, four councils – Luton BC, Bexley LBC, Peterborough City Council and Eastbourne BC – have been promised a total of £96m by the end of 2021-22 through capitalisation directions, which allow them to borrow money to spend on day to day services.