Urban authorities from Core Cities UK and London Councils all agree devolution has to come with a fair funding settlement for the whole of the UK. Local government core funding has reduced by almost two thirds between 2010 and 2020.

In their submissions to the Treasury ahead of the Budget, Core Cities UK and London Councils are calling for the government to deliver real fiscal devolution to enable councils to raise their own funds and be more accountable to their communities.

Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:

"Local communities know how best to promote economic growth and meet the needs of communities in their areas and we need to have the freedoms and powers to do so now."

London Councils' Leaders' Committee has agreed that a new four-year pan-London Grants programme should be established from April 2021, with an indicative budget of £26.7 million.

A consultation asking for views about the programme was launched on Monday this week. The new programme will be based on the current programme priorities:

• Combatting Homelessness
• Tackling Sexual and Domestic Violence
• Tackling Poverty

Responses to the consultation will help London Councils shape recommendations for the new programme to the Grants Committee. The consultation deadline is 13 March 2020 at 5pm.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's UK Poverty 2019-20 report has highlighted the high rates of poverty in the capital.

Commenting on the research, Cllr Muhammed Butt, London Councils’ Executive Member for Welfare, Empowerment and Inclusion, said: “London has among the highest poverty rates in the UK, with the most severe pensioner and in-work poverty and two-thirds of the national homelessness total.

“The government is making positive noises about levelling up the country but needs to boost support for deprived communities everywhere – including the capital."

London Councils' Leaders' committee met yesterday, 11 February. Agenda items included update on London Pensions CIV and appointments to London Councils’ Executive and Lead Members.