Political parties have been told to wake up to a looming crisis in local government that could see a swathe of councils face financial collapse over the next five years.
England’s local authorities need billions more pounds to deliver crucial services to the growing number of people who need them, the next government has been warned.
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 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...
The government must provide authorities with enough funding to boost housebuilding, councils have said, in response to a report that warned the private sector will be unable to fix the housing crisis...
South Cambridgeshire District Council plans to continue its four-day working week, despite government opposition, claiming the pilot has improved staff recruitment and retention.
Increasing the weekly maximum adult social care charge would partially offset the inflation councils have experienced, the Welsh Government has said while insisting it still plans to make care...
Senior councillors have refused to recommend more than £20m of cuts at Nottingham City Council, potentially escalating a dispute with the government over funding and local decision-making.
Plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport have taken another step forward, with City of Doncaster Council set to develop a full business case that could unlock up to £138m of development funding.
Low funding will mean Welsh councils have to cut frontline services in 2024-25, contrary to a claim from the Welsh Government that these services would be protected, a Senedd committee has warned.
Four authorities have been given permission to raise council tax above the referendum limit to meet their spending needs next year, but one request was rejected.
An outdated funding model has pushed councils into a financial crisis and requires fundamental reform – not simply increasing the reliance on a regressive council tax system – a group of MPs has said.
Government spending cuts have restricted resources in local government and are a factor in the rising number of children in care, a senior judge has said.
An above-inflation increase in council spending power for 2024-25 shows “the government stands behind councils”, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has insisted despite warnings from the sector that...
Struggling Birmingham City Council could make up to 600 staff redundant months after the authority issued a Section 114 notice amid a £760m equal pay claim.
An inadequate funding settlement means councils face “serious challenges” including further cuts to balance their 2024-25 budgets, the Local Government Association has said.
A quarter of English councils could deplete their reserves to levels that threaten their financial sustainability in the next two years amid soaring service demand, Grant Thornton has warned.
Encouraging councils to use reserves as a one-off quick fix during the funding crisis is “misguided and unhelpful” and could put more authorities at risk of Section 114 notice, a finance director has...
