Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
David Phillips of the IFS tells LocalGov why England's regional finance reforms are modest by global comparison and what ministers still need to get right.
CIPFA report uncovers 'weak financial management' at Hillingdon
03/08/2026 Hillingdon LBC must change course to avoid relying on exceptional financial support (EFS) for years to come, a report has concluded. |
Social care is main driver of councils' emergency funding requests
27/07/2026 Social care is ‘taking centre stage' as the main factor driving councils' requests for exceptional financial support from Government, a new paper has found. |
Council chiefs urge next PM to close £7bn funding gap
03/07/2026 The LGA is calling on the next PM to lay out a new path for local services that is not reliant on council tax rises and short-term fixes. |
Trafford Council gets interest-free loan from combined authority
31/03/2026 Trafford Council is set to receive an interest-free loan from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to address a multi-million-pound budget gap. |
Council spends £220k sending council tax bills first class
04/03/2026 Somerset Council has spent an extra £220k sending out council tax bills by first class post after the Government delayed confirming the financial settlement. |
Four in 10 of England’s councils to require bail outs
02/03/2026 Nearly 40% of English councils are likely or very likely to require exceptional financial support (EFS) within five years, according to the LGIU. |
Minister raises ‘significant concerns’ over Somerset Council finances
26/02/2026 Minister Alison McGovern has raised ‘significant concerns’ about Somerset Council’s financial position in a letter responding to its request for support. |
Exceptional Financial Support increases
24/02/2026 Some 37 local authorities will be issued with £1.9bn in exceptional financial support (EFS), allowing them to use capital funding to cover day-to-day costs. |
Worcestershire CC issues bankruptcy warning
09/02/2026 Reform UK-run Worcestershire CC could be forced to declare effective bankruptcy if the Government does not provide it with extra support, leader warns. |
City council requests £15m exceptional financial support
06/02/2026 Brighton & Hove City Council has requested £15m of exceptional financial support (EFS) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. |
Council faces £2m deficit due to ‘continuing housing crisis’
09/12/2025 Worthing Borough Council says pressure meeting a ‘continuing housing crisis’ in the area means it is facing a £2.1m budget deficit this year, forcing it to ask the Government for emergency financial support. |
Autumn Budget Insights: Time to deliver for adult social care
30/10/2025 With demand rising, the Autumn Budget offers a critical chance to secure sustainable investment for adult social care, writes ADASS President Jess McGregor. |
London councils face ‘eye-watering’ £4bn funding gap
30/10/2025 London’s town halls are warning of 'inevitable' service cuts and growing financial crisis as new analysis reveals a £4bn funding gap. |
Experts' warning over Exceptional Financial Support
07/10/2025 Council finance experts urged the Government to ensure Exceptional Financial Support remains temporary and does not become ‘embedded in the public sector'. |
Common failures among EFS recipients uncovered
22/09/2025 The most common failings plunging councils into financial crisis have been laid out by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). |
