Local government is in crisis. Councils have to spend billions to keep our communities running and protect the most vulnerable yet after years of constant cuts, local services are now stretched to breaking point.
Libraries are shutting, waste collections are reducing, and social services are shrinking. More and more essential local services - that we all rely on every day - are crumbling away.
Our research has uncovered that there is a funding gap of just over £3.5 billion for 2024/25 and predicts a cumulative shortfall of £7 billion by 2025/26 in local government.
This is only going to get worse unless more central government funding is provided - the recent news of an additional £500 million for social care and £100 million in grants is frankly too little too late, providing a stopgap at best as many councils will still have to navigate cuts while waiting to hear just how this money will be distributed.
Our local councils must be properly funded. It's time to stand up for them and protect the vital services they deliver.
Email your MP, as well as your MSP and MS if you live in Scotland or Cymru/Wales, to tell them you care about council cuts and that you want them to support local services.
