Amid growing concern over risky investments, ministers are introducing new powers to intervene in council finances. Heather Jameson looks at the triggers

Just how much risk is too much when it comes to taxpayers’ money? Last week it emerged that the then-local government minister Kemi Badenoch had written to several councils about their ‘very high’ levels of debt.

It is the latest move amid the Government’s growing concern over the commercial activities of councils. In the letter, Ms Badenoch claimed the Government was worried councils were ‘putting taxpayers’ money at risk’ and were becoming overly-reliant on commercial or ‘novel’ investments.