Gasping Local Government.

 

 

In the  previous post I reported my answers to “Labour List’s” question , what do think are the three  most important priorities that should be in the Budget at the end of this month.  They are:

1.    End the Two Child Benefit Cap (I’ve gathered since that the Household Benefit Cap also need lifting)

2.    Significantly increase the funding of local government.

3.    Restore the Aid Budget to at least 0.58% of GDP, and publish plans to  get back to 0.7% asap.

There are further and better particulars in today’s Guardian (03/10/24) about the strains under which local government is currently operating.  See:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/03/rising-cost-of-social-services-in-england-putting-arts-and-youth-services-at-risk-say-councils

 

To summarise, by law Councils must provide:

·       Educational services;

·       Children and adult social care;

·       Waste collection;

·       Public health;

·       Planning and housing services;

·       Road maintenance;

·       Libraries.

In trying to maintain these statuary duties, since 2010 Councils have been forced  to reduce or even abandon “nice to have” services such as:

·       Sure Start children’s centres;

·       Youth clubs;

·       Leisure centres;

·       Arts projects;

·       Museums;

·       Parks;

·       Libraries;

·       Theatres.

A government spokesperson has said: “Despite the inheritance left, (we’re hearing a lot about that) “we will work with local government to fix the foundations and get them back on their feet. . . ”

 I presume M/s Reeves knows.