The reasons may be different, but this is another autumn where local authorities are facing significant financial challenges. Inflation has remained stubbornly high, interest rates have risen, and demand continues in the post-pandemic era.

This trio of issues have contributed to many well-managed county local authorities facing daunting in-year overspends, with children’s services seeing the brunt of this. This has been further exacerbated by the eye-watering costs of placing children requiring care into accommodation, due to systemic challenges in the provider market.