Title

HIGHWAYS

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.

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.

A new report from the Institute for Government (IfG) revealed how grant cuts and the rising demand for social care shrunk the scope of local government in England.

The IfG found the most grant-dependent and deprived areas such as Birmingham, Lambeth and Salford were more likely to make deeper cuts to neighbourhood services.

For example, deprived areas were more likely to report reductions in bus routes and libraries.

The think-tank added the Government lacks information on two-thirds of neighbourhood services spending.

HIGHWAYS

How we delivered the Youth Investment Fund in Blackburn with Darwen

By Imran Akuji | 21 April 2026

Delivering the Youth Investment Fund in Blackburn with Darwen required a deliberate shift in the council’s role from lead applicant to system steward, says I...

HIGHWAYS

Just like the weather, councils are rarely stable

By Blair McPherson | 20 April 2026

It is tempting to think the local government system is fundamentally stable, but this is seldom the case, says Blair McPherson. Leadership is learning to lea...

HIGHWAYS

Fiscal devolution: A test of seriousness for government and places

By Mike Emmerich | 20 April 2026

If government and mayoral strategic authorities are willing to match fiscal responsibility and the retention of the proceeds of growth within agreed paramete...

HIGHWAYS

EXCLUSIVE: LGA to privately lobby ministers over neighbourhoods' drive

By Dan Peters | 16 April 2026

Local government is to privately lobby ministers over their neighbourhoods’ drive, including Whitehall’s flagship £5.8bn Pride in Place programme.

Popular articles by William Eichler