On Friday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng made a statement to the House of Commons setting out the government's Growth Plan.

London Councils has warned that fast-rising costs and demand for services mean boroughs in the capital need to make £400 million of savings this year, which could rise to £700 million next year without an uplift in funding closer to the rate of inflation.

London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould said: “Councils are already providing a safety net to communities and doing all they can support people who are struggling. Financial support from the government for councils is crucial for continuing this work. Boroughs stand ready to work with the government to find long-term solutions to support our residents and businesses in the capital.”

You can read more about our budget priorities here.

Delegates at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool yesterday enjoyed a lively session exploring London's role in responding to the rising cost of living and maximising the opportunities presented by levelling up. The session was led by a panel including: London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould; Brent Central MP Dawn Butler; Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig; Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and Centre for Local Economic Strategies Chief Executive, Sarah Longlands.

At next week's Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, London Councils Conservative Group Leader Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE will head a panel including: Minister for London, Paul Scully; London Councils Executive Member for Business, Economy and Culture, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell and LSE Professor Tony Travers for the London Councils event: Cost-of-living pressures and levelling up ambitions: The London view. Date: Tuesday 4 October 2. Time: 12.00-13.15. Location: Hall 10B, ICC Birmingham. Please note, this event is inside the secure zone. You do not need to register to attend, but you will need a conference pass.

Up to four London boroughs are being sought to join AVA (Against Violence & Abuse) as programme partners on a  new women's homelessness programme, designed to improve London boroughs' housing and homelessness offers for women survivors of gender-based violence.

Boroughs interested in becoming programme partners are invited to complete this expression of interest form by 10 October 2022.