More than three-quarters of council staff believe the Government should rethink its four-year funding settlement to local government following the EU referendum.
In a survey of council workers by The MJ’s sister website LocalGov.co.uk, 77% said the settlement – announced before the UK voted to leave the EU – should be reviewed due to the expected impact of Brexit on the economy.
Nearly two-thirds of those responding (65%) warned that local government finances would get worse following Brexit, with nine out of 10 calling on the Government to compensate councils for the loss of EU funding with the money it saves from exiting the EU.
More than half (55%) of those surveyed said they were concerned the Government would lose its enthusiasm for devolution while it focused on negotiating new trade agreements.
Just one in five expected the devolution agenda to carry on as planned.
