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Your weekly update of London local government issues

20 Dec 23

Finance Settlement will bring some relief, but fails to plug budget gaps

London Councils has warned that boroughs will continue to face unsustainable budget pressures next year, despite government plans to increase funding, as confirmed in publication of the provisional ( [link removed] )Local Government Settlement for 2024/25 ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) on Monday.

London Councils’ analysis indicates that, while the government’s announcement of a 6.4% funding boost for London local authorities will bring some relief, it will not be enough to address all the skyrocketing costs and financial distress boroughs are experiencing, with an anticipated continuing funding shortfall of at least £500m next year.

( [link removed] )Cllr Claire Holland, Acting Chair of London Councils, ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “We are deeply concerned 2024 looks set to be another year of massive budget pressures and a continuing squeeze on Londoners’ local services.

“The measures announced by the government fall short of what we need. While the funding deal will bring some relief, it won’t be enough to plug the budget gaps we face and restore stability to town hall finances.

“Much of this uplift also relies on council tax rises, which will be extremely difficult for Londoners struggling with the cost of living.

“The entire system of local government funding needs urgent reform. For too long, boroughs in the capital have been left with inadequate resources despite London’s population and demand for services growing fast.”

Refuge receives Royal visit

Her Majesty The Queen visited Ashiana Network ( [link removed] ) recently, one of the groups funded by the London Councils' ( [link removed] )Grants Programme ( [link removed] ). Ashiana Network supports South Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish women who have experienced traumas, including domestic and sexual violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence and immigration-related abuse.

Her Majesty took the time to listen to residents ( [link removed] ) at the refuge, learning about their experiences.

The London Councils Grants Programme 2022-26 ( [link removed] ) invests £6 million annually, dedicated to tackling two of the most pressing challenges in the capital: Homelessness and Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas

We would like to wish all our readers a Happy Christmas and New Year. The next edition of Key Issues will be in your inbox on 10 January.

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Media round-up...

Finance settlement ‘bitterly disappointing’
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Half of London boroughs could face £2,000 average council tax bills from April in latest cost of living blow
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Skills shortage 'putting brakes' on net zero

( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Primary schools in England close, merge and shrink as pupil numbers fall
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Cost of living preventing Londoners from reducing carbon emissions by saving energy

LABM ( [link removed] )

What Choice? Your Choice

The MJ ( [link removed] )

'All my friends have moved' How UK cities have been hollowed out by housing price rises
The Guardian ( [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] )

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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

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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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