Title

WHITEHALL

Chancellor announces fast-tracked Spending Review

The Government will rush through a one-year Spending Review to help prepare for Brexit.

The Government will rush through a one-year Spending Review to help prepare for Brexit.

Chancellor Sajid Javid said the announcement will ensure departments and devolved administrations have the financial certainty needed to deliver on the Prime Minister's recent spending promises. 

The fast-tracked spending round will be completed next month, with a full multi-year Spending Review delayed until 2020.

Mr Javid, said: ‘The Prime Minister and I have asked for a fast-tracked spending round for September to set departmental budgets for next year.

'This will clear the ground ahead of Brexit while delivering on people's priorities.'

The District Councils' Network had been among those to call for a delay of the original three-year review.

But chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Rob Whiteman, said: 'A one-year spending round simply doesn't provide enough certainty for good financial planning and management.'

Shadow local government secretary, Andrew Gwynne, added: 'Councils will continue to face unprecedented uncertainty and planning for anything beyond next year will grind to a halt.'

WHITEHALL

Making change work for you

By Jessica Mullinger | 26 February 2026

LGR brings the promise of restructure and change to many organisations, impacting the individuals who work for them in different ways. Jessica Mullinger look...

WHITEHALL

The Warm Homes Plan: Why local leadership and early planning matter

By Paul Bourgeois | 26 February 2026

Councils that plan early and lead locally on retrofitting will be best placed to shape programmes that deliver lasting benefits, writes Paul Bourgeois

WHITEHALL

A pivotal moment for mayors

By Ann McGauran | 25 February 2026

The recent devolution Bill and the Government’s consultation on visitor levies are seen as positive steps on the road to fiscal devolution, but does it go fa...

WHITEHALL

Delivering a new culture in a merged council

By Heather Jameson | 25 February 2026

Heather Jameson talks to Adrianna Partridge about the challenges of taking on the top job at local authorities that have merged – a subject top of the agenda...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman