Martin Ford 03 March 2026

Spring Statement: OBR paints gloomy picture of council finances

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has painted a gloomy picture for the future of local government finances.

Its economic outlook, published today as part of the Spring Statement, forecasted net current spending by local government would decline in the coming years due to ‘financial pressures in the sector' restricting borrowing and use of reserves.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

#Finance

Analysis

10 ways councils are making budgets go further

Discover 10 ways councils are stretching budgets further, from digital transformation and energy efficiency to community partnerships and data-driven decision-making.

Opinion

Fiscal Devolution – has stuff just got real?

As Andy Burnham prepares to enter Downing Street, Localis' Jonathan Werran asks whether his premiership will unlock tax-raising powers for local government.

Most Popular News

Fresh asylum homelessness spike warning

Liverpool City Region launches first anti-racism strategy

Local government can't deliver without investing in skills

Suffolk CC to push on with LGR legal challenge

Staffordshire Reform group moves to dismantle EDI programmes

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Cornwall’s Coastal Heritage Lighting Upgraded with Acrospire Lanterns

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Company Anouncements

Acrospire promotes LED retrofit for structurally viable lighting assets

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Trees and Landscape Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

£37602 - £45564

Job Title Trees and Landscape ... London

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Mental Health Co-ordinator, Kinship, post-order support team

£24102.00 - £28994.00 per annum

Mental Health Co-ordinator, Kinship, post-order support teamPermanent, Part Time, 18.5 Hours Per Week£24,102 to £28,994 Per Annum Pro-RataLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

ICT Business Support & Development Officer

£31284.00 - £35721.00 per annum

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit an ICT Business Support & Development Officer on a full-time b England, Essex, Braintree

Recuriter: Essex County Council

ICT Project Officer - Braintree District Council

£31284.0000 - £35721.0000 per annum

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit an ICT Project Manager on a full-time basis.Please click here England, Essex, Braintree

Recuriter: Essex County Council