Disappointing and divisive. That seems to be the mood around the Chancellor’s budget, which in reality brought little cheer for the general public or those working in local government, writes Nigel...
Devolution deals and extra cost-of-living support were welcomed, but the Budget failed to address systemic funding issues in local government, sector bodies have warned.
The government should avoid “prioritising politically driven tax cuts while decimating services” during Wednesday’s Budget, public sector unions have said.
The government ending an “essential lifeline” for low-income households would create a “cliff-edge” in support because councils do not have the resources to keep it going themselves, the Local...
Underwriting overspends in the high needs block would prevent cuts by stabilising council finances and should be considered by the government in its Budget, the Education Policy Institute has said.
Extending the Household Support Fund and reforming council temporary accommodation support at next week’s Budget are important to mitigate some financial pressures facing London boroughs, a senior...
A shrinking budget and higher spending needs could force Northern Irish departments to make £800m of cuts this year, the nation’s financial watchdog has warned.
The Budget contained billions of pounds of tax cuts for businesses and measures aimed at getting people back to work, but elephants in the room such as public sector pay and struggling services...
Ministers should use Wednesday’s budget as an opportunity to provide a sustainable long term funding settlement for the social care sector or risk exacerbating existing care issues, experts have said.
Researchers have warned that despite some economic good news the chancellor might have “less fiscal room for manoeuvre” in the upcoming Budget than it appears.
External auditors have told Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council it needs to work out how it will balance its future budgets, warning that it lacks “appropriate arrangements” to run its...
Stormont’s departmental spending will exceed UK government funding by £660m in 2022-23 putting the devolved administration’s finances at risk, amid the lack of a formal budget, according to finance...
Local authorities in Scotland are set to have full autonomy over the council tax rates they can set next year, amid reductions in core funding, the Scottish government has announced.
