Ann McGauran 20 January 2026

CIPFA: Councils' demand and deficit risks deepen

Councils are holding higher debt levels and lower usable reserves, leaving the system more leveraged overall, a key financial index has revealed today.

External debt across English local authorities rose 10% to £106.9bn in 2025, while usable reserves declined by 4% over the same period, according to the 2025 CIPFA and Infoshare+ Financial Resilience Index.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

#Debt #Reserves #Finance

Analysis

10 ways councils are making budgets go further

Discover 10 ways councils are stretching budgets further, from digital transformation and energy efficiency to community partnerships and data-driven decision-making.

Opinion

Why site accommodation matters in local authority project delivery

Effective site accommodation can support safety, workforce wellbeing and delivery across council construction projects, says Iain Davidson, Wernick Hire.

Most Popular News

Oxfordshire issues legal warning over unauthorised flags

New Simpler Recycling rules come into effect

Council workers offered 3.3% pay rise

Legal threat looms as counties oppose Whitehall LGR ruling

Call for trading standards funding as high street branded ‘lawless’

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Company Anouncements

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Vent-Axia Helps Tackle Condensation and Mould this World Ventilation Day

Digital Trainee Apprentice - IT Solutions Technician Level 3

£15435.0000 - £24522.0000 per annum

Digital Trainee Apprentice - IT Solutions Technician Level 3Fixed Term, Full Time£15,435 increasing to £24,522 in the second yearLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of Revenue & Benefits

up to £66,952

Located in the heart of beautiful Gloucestershire, Stroud District Council is seeking a passionate, values-driven leader... Ebley Mill, Stroud / Hybrid

Recuriter: Stroud District Council

Strategic Director of Housing & Communities

up to £99,764 (includes a market supplement, based on experience)

Located in the heart of beautiful Gloucestershire, Stroud District Council is seeking a passionate, values-driven leader... Ebley Mill, Stroud / Hybrid

Recuriter: Stroud District Council

IT Support Officer - Rochford District Council

Up to £15.9900 per hour

IT Support Officer - Rochford District Council Rochford, Essex Full-Time, Temporary - 37 hours per week 3-Month Contract £15.99 PAYE / £20.51 Umbrella England, Essex, Rochford

Recuriter: Essex County Council