Failure to address an estimated £4bn black hole in the finances of councils across England, Scotland and Wales could lead to the 'widespread collapse of local government', a trade union has warned.
Research by Unison found that councils across the three nations faced a collective funding shortfall of £4.3bn in 2025-26, with the figure rising to £8.5bn by 2026-27.
Unison's figures, based on Freedom of Information Act requests and councils' own financial forecasts, surpass the estimates of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: ‘Councils are teetering on the brink of financial disaster.
'Countless essential services and very many vital jobs are at risk, with terrible consequences for communities across Britain.'
