"While funding levels have increased in recent years, councils will be rightly anxious that today’s Budget does not provide the increase in funding they desperately need to ensure their financial sustainability, protect services, support local communities, and address national priorities."
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Senior Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, said:
"Scrutiny of today's Budget will focus on decisions around national taxation. However, while people rightly care about tax levels and the cost of living, they also care deeply about the local services they rely on every day.
"Councils work tirelessly to deliver on the ambitions of residents and are key to solving many of the challenges the Government is looking to address. However, local government finances remain under severe pressure with councils facing huge cost pressures in areas including adult social care, temporary accommodation, SEND, and home to school transport.
“The Government has acted on LGA calls to provide greater financial certainty and a simpler funding system, which are hugely important for councils. While funding levels have increased in recent years, councils will be rightly anxious that today’s Budget does not provide the increase in funding they desperately need to ensure their financial sustainability, protect services, support local communities, and address national priorities.
“We will be analysing today’s announcements in detail and publishing a full briefing in the coming days.”
Notes to editors
The LGA will be issuing further statements on specific announcements from today’s Budget.
Ends