Laura Sharman 29 May 2020

Councils will need £6bn to balance budgets this year, says LGA

Councils will need another £6bn to cover the costs and lost income caused by the coronavirus crisis, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

The LGA analysis of May’s returns shows that the emergency funding provided by Government has fully met the extra Covid-19 costs and losses of income over the past three months.

However, councils could need as much as £6bn more to cover the costs of coping with the coronavirus pandemic during this financial year. Nearly two-thirds of this funding would be needed to cover lost income, while the rest would be needed to cover extra cost pressures as a result of the pandemic.

It warned that without knowing when further funding will be received, councils may be forced to make in-year cuts to local services.

Cllr James Jamieson, LGA chairman, said: ‘Concerns remain about the ongoing financial pressures ahead. Councils will need further funding and financial flexibilities in the weeks and months ahead to meet ongoing COVID-19 pressures and to keep services running normally.

’Certainty around this is desperately-needed so councils can balance their budgets this year and take vital decisions about how to pay for vital local services next year.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

East Midlands Combined County Authority
£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recuriter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Lecturer in SEND

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 p.a. PAY AWARD PENDING
DurhamLearn wish to recruit a Lecturer in SEND – delivering Employment and Work Skills training in the classroom; applicants will have significant tea Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Business Analyst, Selby

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £45,718 per annum
Are you passionate about making public services more effective and efficient? Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Recovery Support Worker (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00 Grade 7, £34,314.00 - £37,035.00 Grade 8, Career Grade
Recovery Support Worker (Career Grade) Badsworth, Pontefract
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Residential Worker (Foster Home) x 2

Wakefield Council
£15,533.50 - £16,683.00, Grade 7,
Residential Worker (Foster Home) x 2 Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner