A rare coalition of local government employers, unions such as UNISON and ALACE, professional bodies and others has opposed the Treasury’s unworkable proposals for a cap on exit payments.

The LGA’s forensic dissection demonstrates why a radical rethink is required, removing pension strain from the cap and omitting any role for Whitehall in “approving” decisions by full council meetings. The next Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government should listen -whoever they turn out to be.