Local authority leaders in Wales have warned the UK Government that local services could be at ‘mortal risk’ if further funding was not forthcoming.
The warning was issued by the Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) spokesperson for Finance and Resources, Cllr Anthony Hunt, at this week’s WLGA Annual Conference.
‘All WLGA members are grateful to the Welsh government for the close and constructive relationship with local government, and for their candour,’ he said.
‘We have been left in no doubt that such services are at mortal risk if significant funding to Wales is not forthcoming to Wales.’
Welsh councils are estimated to face £600m to £750m of pressures in 2024-25 due to spiralling inflation and in demand for services such as social care, according to Wales Centre for Public Policy.
'People across Wales will ultimately pay the price if the UK government fails to urgently provide funding to the Welsh Government to pass on to local government,’ Cllr Hunt added.
‘All councils in Wales are united in their plea to the UK Government: provide the funding that our communities so urgently need.’
