Smith Square has pushed Marsham Street to provide funding for councils to implement their no-deal Brexit plans as Whitehall urges local authorities to act now.

The Local Government Association is understood to have privately pointed out to Whitehall officials that implementing the plans would not be costless, with preparations for a no-deal Brexit requiring the recruitment of extra staff and bringing other new burdens.

Smith Square’s lobbying comes after civil servants suggested the sector needed to plan on a no-deal basis now as a precaution.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is believed to have told sector representatives that it is acutely aware of the financial pressures councils are under in-year but no cash has been forthcoming despite the increasing risk of a no-deal Brexit.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).