Local authorities in London have called for a package of financial support that is similar to the one that helped councils through the worst of the pandemic.
Ahead of tomorrow’s emergency budget, London Council’s has called for additional funding support for delivering vital services during what the organisation describes as an ‘extremely challenging period’.
The cross-party group warned that fast-rising costs and demand for services mean boroughs in the capital need to make £400m of savings this year, which could rise to £700m next year without an uplift in funding closer to the rate of inflation.
As well as the extra pressures that increasing energy costs have brought, London Council cites the high rate of homelessness and rapidly rising private rents in the capital as a particular challenge to London’s local authorities.
‘With thousands of Londoners already struggling to make ends meet, the government has a critical opportunity to announce further help for households and the services they rely on,’ said Cllr Georgia Gould, chair of London Councils.
‘Councils are already providing a safety net to communities and doing all they can support people who are struggling. Financial support from the government for councils is crucial for continuing this work. Boroughs stand ready to work with the government to find long-term solutions to support our residents and businesses in the capital.’
