London Councils has responded to new research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) which has shown London local government to have the largest funding gap (17%) relative to need of any region in England.

London Councils' Executive Member for Communities, Cllr Claire Holland, said: "Over the last decade outer London in particular has become more deprived, reflecting demographic and economic changes. Since funding was last updated, London's total population has grown by almost 800,000 - broadly equivalent to a city the size of Leeds."

"Local government funding has not changed to reflect these fast-rising pressures and growing levels of need.

 "Local government funding reform must take place alongside vital investment across the entire sector to put council finances back on a sustainable path for the long term."

London Councils is aware that a website is offering Freedom Pass applications. The website, freedom-pass.co.uk, collects the customers personal information and then asks for a payment of £39.90.

Applying for a Freedom Pass is always free (the fee for replacement cards is £12) and can only be done online at www.freedompass.org

The scam website has been reported to the National Cyber Security Centre and to Google. If you have been affected by this scam, please contact Action Fraud UK

Our London in Brief online events are designed exclusively for councillors and feature a broad range of London issues. 

Talks are delivered by experts from our own policy teams as well as external organisations, and chaired by one of the borough Leaders in their capacity as a London Councils Executive Member. 

Forthcoming events include an overview of our manifesto asks ahead of party conferences, the nature of modern slavery in London, and how boroughs can become places of safety and inclusion for people seeking sanctuary. 

You can find more about the London in Brief events at www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/events