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Your weekly update of London local government issues

22 Nov 23

Autumn Statement

Later today the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will deliver the government's ( [link removed] )Autumn Statement ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), when he will update the Commons on the state of the economy, and any tax and spending decisions.

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, London Councils has written a ( [link removed] )cross-party letter to the Chancellor ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) urging an increase in Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

With one in 50 Londoners currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation, we need the government to help us address the homelessness emergency unfolding in the capital. Ending the freeze on LHA is the single fastest way the government can reverse the deeply concerning rise in homelessness in London and across the country.

Our latest survey of council finances has highlighted the extent to which council finances in the capital are on a "knife edge". A combination of fast-increasing demand for services, prolonged high inflation, and insufficient government funding represents a perfect storm for town hall budget, with boroughs set to overspend on their original budget plans by almost £600m this year (2023/24).

Speaking ahead of this year's Autumn Statement, Cllr Claire Holland, Acting Chair of London Councils, ( [link removed] ) said: “London’s worsening homelessness crisis is wreaking havoc on council budgets. With one in 50 Londoners homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough, the human cost is enormous and financial cost utterly unsustainable.

“Alongside massive demands on adult and children’s social care services, spiralling inflation, and insufficient funding from government, boroughs are left in an extremely precarious position. 

“The Chancellor must use the Autumn Statement to help councils weather the storm. We urgently need more funding support to stabilise budgets and sustain local services.”

Our latest survey of Londoners (see item below) has also highlighted residents' ongoing concerns about the cost of living and housing affordability in the capital.

Soaring cost of living in London leaves 'little room to breathe'

New polling commissioned by London Councils and conducted by Ipsos has revealed that 75 per cent of Londoners cite cost of living as a top issue facing the capital. This is followed by affordability of housing, with seven in ten saying their rent or mortgage payments have increased in the last 12 months.

Acting Chair of London Councils, Cllr Claire Holland, ( [link removed] ) said: "Our research shows that the majority of Londoners have little room to breathe financially, largely due to soaring housing costs. It is striking that London's housing affordability crisis is now affecting all sectors of society."

"Fundamental change is needed to ensure Londoners have the homes and financial resilience needed to thrive."

New funding welcome, but is only a first step to meeting roads backlog

London Councils has welcomed the government's announcement of £8.3 billion of funding for local roads maintenance, but warned that the £0.2bn announced for London is only a "first step" in filling London's £1.6bn repairs backlog.

( [link removed] )Cllr Kieron Williams, London Councils' Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Environment, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: "London boroughs are delivering innovative new ways to fix our roads. However, innovation alone can't fill the £1.6 billion backlog in potholes and other vital works across our city's nine thousand miles of highways."

"London boroughs have been calling for a more robust and direct transport funding model for our city and every other part of the country, so we can clear the backlog and keep London, and Britain, moving."

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Media round-up...

Paul Honeyben: Autumn statement must avert domino effect of section 114s

LGC ( [link removed] )

London boroughs expect to overspend budgets by £600m as homelessness rises
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Amid 'homelessness emergency', London makes cross-party call to Chancellor on Local Housing Allowance

LABM ( [link removed] )

Report reveals big costs and huge benefits of London buildings retrofit

OnLondon ( [link removed] )

Gove hints at Autumn Statement devo deals
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Oflog pushes ahead with early warning system
The MJ ( [link removed] )

MPs slam ‘beyond unacceptable’ condition of schools
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Disasters Emergency Committee ( [link removed] )

Freedom Pass ( [link removed] )

Taxicard ( [link removed] )

Parking Services ( [link removed] )

About London Councils ( [link removed] )

Do It London's 'Be Sure, Know the Four' campaign is a reminder  that combination prevention is still the most effective strategy to prevent HIV.

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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard. 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

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