Laura Sharman 16 January 2015

Cuts putting a ‘sledgehammer’ to local government says report

The future of local authority services are under threat - with many councils reducing statutory services due to austerity measures - a new report is warning.

Austerity Uncovered, published by the TUC and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), reveals that the Government is only halfway through its austerity programme. It also claims that by 2015-16 council funding will be cut by 37%, with the total funding gap expected to increase by £2.1bn per year until 2019-20.

The report highlights the impact cuts have had on services, with English councils cutting the amount put aside for means-tested social care by 12% since 2010.

The majority of councils (87%) also now only provide adult social care in cases of ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ need, with the number of younger people with disabilities receiving social care falling by 17% since 2008-09.

The research also shows the between 2010 and 2013, spending on children's centres fell by 28%, leading to 580 centres closing.

TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: ‘This government is taking a sledgehammer to public services and local government.

‘Adult social care is in crisis and children’s services are under increasing attack. With cuts on this scale it will be impossible to protect local services. The tragedy is that the cuts have been disproportionate – those local authorities with the greatest need have been the worst hit.’

The report calls for a more needs-based approach to funding settlements, with further devolution of resources and decision-making powers to councils. It also recommends a long-term plan for increasing funding for adult social care, a high-level commitment to reducing inequalities, and more collaboration with public service unions and community groups.

Chief executive of CLES, Neil McInroy, said: ‘We need to get the priorities right and appreciate that austerity means people’s needs are no longer being met like they should be. Without considered decisions based on the needs of people and places, now and into the future, we risk causing irreversible damage.’

In response, local government minister Kris Hopkins said: 'The majority of local authorities have continued to balance their budgets whilst reducing council tax in real terms and increased or maintained public satisfaction with services.

'The provisional local government settlement is fair to all parts of the country - north and south, rural and urban, city and shire. With council spending on public services up £4bn to nearly £79bn, every council should be able to deliver sensible savings whilst protecting frontline services for local taxpayers.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Environmental Health Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£47,532 - £50,574
Join our dedicated and forward-thinking Private Housing & Environmental Health Standards Team Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Deputy Lead / Team Manager Occupational Therapy

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£61,980 - £65,478
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is committed to delivering high-quality social care services to our diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Change & Improvement Manager

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£61,980 - £65,478
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Change & Improvement Team on a two-year fixed-term contract. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Strategic Director

Winchester City Council
From £102,820 to £118,280 and Essential Car user Allowance
We are about to embark on a major transformation in Hampshire and Isle of Wight with the creation of a Strategic Authority... Winchester, Hampshire
Recuriter: Winchester City Council

Supported Housing Lead

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£55,399 - £69,974
Supported Housing Lead<... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.