William Eichler 05 March 2024

Basic efficiency savings all ‘long gone’, Chancellor told

Basic efficiency savings all ‘long gone’, Chancellor told  image
Image: Sean Aidan Calderbank / Shutterstock.com.

There are no more ‘basic efficiencies’ left to make, local authority leaders tell the Chancellor in response to reports he will urge councils to cut consultants and diversity schemes.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reportedly tell cash-strapped councils in England to reduce spending on consultants and schemes aimed at promoting diversity.

Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme this morning, chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) Shaun Davies said most councils spent ‘pence’ on diversity schemes.

He also added that councils were forced to pay for consultants so that they could bid for Government funding.

Cllr Claire Holland, deputy chair of London Councils, has told the Chancellor any ‘low-hanging fruit and basic efficiencies are long gone.’

‘Boroughs have reduced staff numbers by 25% since 2010. Significant efficiency savings have been made to protect essential statutory services such as adult and children’s social care and homelessness support. The fast-growing pressures on these services are driving boroughs’ budget concerns.’

She added: ‘We want to work with central government in addressing these major challenges. Tomorrow’s Budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to help stabilise local services and protect vulnerable Londoners.’

If this article was of interest, then check out, 'Councils in crisis: time to stop the cycle of decline' and 'Chancellor needs to show compassion to most vulnerable'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Activites Assistants (CASUAL)

Durham County Council
£24,404 (12.65 p.a. hour) - £25,183 (£13.05 p.a. hour)
This is an exciting opportunity for Casual Activities Assistants to join our Leisure and Sport Service.   Leisure Centres are
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pension Administration Officer

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 p.a. (Grade 3) Pay award pending
A vacancy has arisen within Pension Services for an Administration Officer to provide admin and data support to the pensions team and members of the L Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

County Attendance Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
We are seeking to recruit to the role of County Attendance Officer on a permanent basis to work predominately across the North or the South of the county. The team works across the whole of Oxfordshire so flexibility to work in other areas is also require County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Software Engineer Starter

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914
We're looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practice, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You'll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Executive Director - Growth, Enterprise and Environment

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
£139,111.00 (pay award pending)
This is a chance to make a significant difference to the lives of families across our borough – and to seriously improve your quality of life. Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT
Recuriter: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Linkedin Banner