Growing pressure means nearly half of England’s upper-tier councils will struggle to balance their budgets within two years and are likely to need government support, a survey of chief executives has...
Tax increases of up to £25bn will be needed in the Budget if spending on local government, police and prisons is to rise in line with national income, according to research from the Institute for...
Challenges such as rocketing temporary housing costs threaten local government finances, and chancellor Rachel Reeves faces calls to fix the system in the upcoming Budget.
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.
