Cash-strapped councils are “raiding their rainy day funds” to cope with growing demand on social services, the public spending watchdog has said. Government funding for local authorities has fallen by
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The UK Government has tabled a budget for Northern Ireland in the ongoing absence of devolved ministers due to the powersharing crisis. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley unveiled the £12
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Chancellor Philip Hammond must use his Spring Statement to help struggling councils which are acting as “human shields” for the Government’s “failed economic policy of austerity”, John McDonnell will say.
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Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has appealed to Philip Hammond to address the “£2 billion funding gap” in children’s services to “protect our children”. Mr McDonnell said the “most vulnerable” were
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The total amount of council tax paid in England is set to rise by more than £1 billion next year as town halls take advantage of new freedoms to increase
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A “care pension” which would help cover costs for people later in life should be introduced, according to a former pensions minister. Sir Steve Webb, who is now director of
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Oxfam’s handling of sex allegations has been condemned by the Government – with a threat that millions in taxpayer funding could be cut off. International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said
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An additional £10m is being made available to local authorities in Wales to enable social services to support people in their homes and communities, Health and Social Services Secretary Vaughan
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Sajid Javid has faced claims of trying to “buy off Conservative shires” with council funding to avoid a Commons rebellion. Shadow local government minister Jim McMahon said the Communities Secretary
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Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has called for a new “ring-fenced” tax specifically to pay for the NHS and social care. The new levy – which could replace national
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