Since the chancellor stood at the despatch box to deliver his first Budget in 2010 much has changed for local government. In the five years since then, councils have found billions worth of savings, restructured, created new ways to run services and tackled a 40% reduction in core government funding.
Last week, the final Budget before the General Election confirmed government’s intention that austerity will continue, at least up to 2018.
What does this mean for councils and the services we provide? I’m clear that it makes it more important than ever before that whoever takes office in May reassesses the way our public services are funded and delivered.
The crisis in adult social care requires immediate action and it was disappointing that the chancellor did not address this last week. There is now widespread recognition that investing money in the NHS while forcing councils to cut their social care budgets merely puts extra pressure on the health service.
Want full article access?
Receive The MJ magazine each week and gain access to all the content on this website with a subscription.
Full website content includes additional, exclusive commentary and analysis on the issues affecting local government.
Already a subscriber? Login
