Martin Ford 22 November 2023

Sector unites in plea to chancellor

Sector unites in plea to chancellor image
Image: Number1411 / Shutterstock.com.

The local government sector in England has united to put out a call to the chancellor to ‘address the significant financial challenges faced by councils’.

This morning’s statement from the Local Government Association, County Councils Network, District Councils Network, London Councils, Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities and Unitary Councils Network warned: ‘For many of our members, they are now approaching or already at the point where their financial sustainability is at risk.’

Ahead of today’s Autumn Statement, key asks of the chancellor Jeremy Hunt included ‘a long-term plan for greater funding certainty’ with multi-year settlements, following five single-year announcements in a row.

They have also made a plea for existing funding to be devolved to give more local discretion on spending.

The statement says this would ‘throw a lifeline to the vital local services that people depend upon every day’.

They have reiterated the £4bn funding gap faced by councils in England over the next two years and 27% real terms cut in core spending power since 2010/11.

The statement urges Mr Hunt to ‘ensure all councils have sufficient resources to set balanced budgets next year without having to make drastic cuts to local services’, while stressing council tax increases and using reserves ‘are not the long-term solution’.

This article was originally published by The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner