William Eichler 11 February 2019

Spending Review ‘make or break’ for cash-strapped councils

Local government leaders have warned the Chancellor that the upcoming Spending Review will ‘make or break’ over-stretched council services.

New research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has revealed that Philip Hammond will need to find an extra £5bn by 2023-24 to spare further cuts to public services.

Drawing on the Treasury’s provisional plans in the Autumn 2018 budget, the think tank estimated that departments, excluding health, defence and aid, face more cuts under the Government’s spending plans.

This will be on top of the £40bn they have endured since 2010.

The scale of the cuts to come would be much smaller than those already implemented, with cuts for unprotected departments averaging 0.4% per year going forwards compared to 3% a year over the period since 2010.

Ben Zaranko, a research economist at the IFS, said the think tank’s findings ‘suggest yet more years of austerity for many public services – albeit at a much slower pace than the last nine years.’

In response to the IFS report, Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said that local government in England faces an overall funding gap of £8bn by 2025.

‘The Spending Review will therefore be make or break for vital local services and securing the financial sustainability of councils must be the top priority,’ he warned.

‘If the Government fails to adequately fund local government in the Spending Review then there is a real risk to the future financial viability of some services and councils,’ Cllr Watts continued.

‘Councils were at the front of the queue when austerity started so local services should be at the front of the queue if it is coming to an end.

‘Fully funding councils is the only way to ensure they can continue to provide all of the valued local services which make such a positive difference to people’s lives.

‘It will also save money for the taxpayer and others part of the public sector, such as the NHS.’

Image: Sovastock / Shutterstock.com.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner