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

The cracks that threaten integrated care

By Matthew Taylor | 04 December 2025

Groundbreaking investigation by The MJ and its sister title Healthcare Management reveal a stark and escalating crisis: Integrated Care Boards collectively o...

HIGHWAYS

EXCLUSIVE: ICB debt hits £570m

By Lee Peart | 04 December 2025

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) owe English councils hundreds of millions of pounds, creating cash flow problems, risking delivery and straining key relationsh...

HIGHWAYS

The Budget: A step towards fiscal devo

By Heather Jameson | 02 December 2025

The Budget took its first steps towards local government finance reform and Total Place 2.0, but did it resolve any of the major issues facing local governme...

HIGHWAYS

Budget: Key Cities seek funding that reflects real pressures

By Cllr John Merry | 01 December 2025

Support for regional growth is welcome, but more must be done to address real pressures facing local authorities, says Cllr John Merry.

Popular articles by William Eichler