Union warns vast majority of councils face cuts to jobs and services amid budget shortfalls
The vast majority of councils have a budget gap, with many facing cuts to jobs and services, a union is warning.
Unison said councils across Britain had a collective “hole” of £3.5 billion in their finances, with only a minority on course to balance the books.
It is “extremely likely” that councils will have to make huge cuts in essential services and jobs, Unison warned.
The union said information it gathered from local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales shows the true scale of the “dire state” of local government funding.
Many authorities will be forced to consider selling land and buildings, as well as slash services for the vulnerable and vital community resources such as waste collection, libraries and leisure centres, Unison warned.
More than 100 councils are at least £10 million short of their planned spending requirements, while 15 are as much as £40 million adrift, said Unison.
General secretary Christina McAnea (pictured) said: “Communities rely on their local authorities for all manner of essential services, such as waste collection, social care, road repairs and parks and other open spaces.
“But councils are on their knees. Ministers seem to care very little about public services and local government has been hit hard over very many years.
“Essential services can’t run on thin air.
“Staff levels have already been cut to the bone in desperate attempts to balance the books.
“Yet more service cuts and job losses are sadly inevitable across the country unless the Government intervenes with the lifeline of significant extra funding.
“Not just for those on the brink, but to councils everywhere.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “Local authorities have seen an increase in core spending power of up to £5.1 billion, or 9.4% in cash terms, on 2022/23, with almost £60 billion available for local government in England.
“We stand ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.”
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