finance
A ‘back-to-work’ Budget
Funding and measures to widen employment support, improve local roads, protect swimming pools from rising costs and support regeneration and levelling up were among the key announcements for councils in the March Spring Budget.
Scrap costly funding bids, says levelling up inquiry
Costly competitions between councils vying for vital funding pots should be replaced to help realise the Government’s levelling up agenda, an LGA inquiry has found.
More funding for vulnerable households
Nearly £850 million is to be given to councils to support vulnerable households with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Take back control of council funding
There has been a lot of focus recently on oversight of councils, in light of serious financial failings at some councils, including Thurrock, Croydon, and Northamptonshire – all of which resulted in formal intervention from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
‘Make household support permanent’
The Government should make the Household Support Fund permanent and more flexible so councils can help residents in the greatest need, the LGA has said.
Local audit ‘in crisis’
Local auditors gave opinions on only 12 per cent of local government bodies’ 2021/22 financial statements by the statutory deadline, according to a report from the National Audit Office.
Funding to rise but ‘challenges remain’
Government proposals to increase local government core spending power by 9.2 per cent in 2023/24 will help councils manage inflationary and other cost pressures, the LGA has said.
£650m support for refugees
A new support package for refugees, announced in December, includes increased ‘thank you’ payments for longer-term hosts of Ukrainian arrivals and a £500 million fund for councils to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict.