Cuts
England’s poorest areas hardest hit by austerity
Residents living in England’s most deprived areas were hit hardest by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity, a think-tank has found.
Homeless deaths increase 80% in two years
The number of people dying while homeless has increased by 80% in two years, shocking new research reveals.
Slough to request £478m of Government support
The council estimates it will require £478m of capitalisation directions or other support from the Government to balance its books.
Wirral faces £27m budget gap
The council said it was time to ‘make the changes that have been put off for too many years’ following heavy criticism from external reviews of its finances.
Cornwall plans to cut 400 jobs
The cuts are part of plans to save millions of pounds in order to balance the council’s budget in 2022-23.
Lambeth faces £8m budget gap
Unrealised savings and overspends in children’s services and homelessness have all contributed to a projected £7.95m budget gap by the end of the year.
Hampshire prepares for public health cuts
Hampshire CC has called for a new model for council funding as it prepares for cuts of almost £7m to its public health budget.
Slough to make £200m capitalisation request
Slough Council is to ask the Government for a further capitalisation direction worth as much as £200m.
Watchdog urges 'revaluation' of councils' role
The ‘role and value’ of councils should be revaluated in face of rising demand and financial pressures, according to a new report.
Councils mull raids on reserves and job cuts
Gateshead MBC is considering cutting up to 155 jobs and North Yorkshire's reserves will take an £8m hit under budget proposals.
Councils grapple with multi-million pound budget deficits
Councils are mulling service cuts and council tax rises as they attempt to balance next year's budgets.
Tax increases more likely than austerity, says Flanders
A top economist has predicted that tax increases are more likely than another bout of austerity.
Union in industrial action threat over large-scale job losses
Trade union Unite has warned it could launch industrial action unless Nottingham City Council removes its threat of large-scale redundancies.
Starmer to replace House of Lords with elected body
A Labour government will replace the House of Lords with an elected body of representatives from local and regional government, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told a virtual Local Government Association conference session.
'Hidden cuts' in Scottish Budget
Council leaders have complained about ‘hidden cuts’ in a Scottish Budget that will deliver £11.3bn for council services in 2020/21.
Liverpool launches fight against cuts
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has urged the city’s residents to ‘rise up’ to fight any further cuts – while warning he would not set a budget that cut services.
Council on course to meet investment target
South Cambridgeshire DC has revealed it is on course to generate a quarter of cash spent on services through its own investments.
Just a lull in the funding storm?
David Phillips examines the choices the next Government will face, including whether (and how much) to raise taxes. What it decides could have big implications for councils and those who rely on their services.
A campaign to dispel some of the myths about local government
Unison has launched a campaign this week to celebrate the work of council staff. General secretary Dave Prentis explains why.
Charities find children's 'cuts hotspots'
Per capita funding for children’s services has fallen by more than 30% since 2010, with London boroughs suffering the most savage cuts, children’s charities have warned.
