Local government associations across the UK have taken the ‘unprecedented’ step of penning a joint letter to the chancellor with a plea for additional funding.
Ahead of this week’s Spring Budget, the associations have urged Jeremy Hunt to provide councils with extra cash to prevent cuts to essential services, manage an 'emerging housing crisis' and stave off job cuts.
Each nation typically lobbies its own government for additional funding, but the associations said 'shared financial challenges' made it necessary for them to raise their concerns directly with the chancellor.
The resources spokesperson for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Katie Hagmann, said: ‘It is vital that we emphasise the precarious position councils are facing.
‘COSLA, alongside our local government partner association, urge the chancellor to review the UK Spring Budget to ensure it reflects current pressures and provides sufficient investment to local government so we can continue to deliver vital services to our communities.’
