Title

SOCIAL CARE

Two-thirds of councils to cut neighbourhood services

Community services will have to be ‘drastically scaled back’ or cut altogether without further funding for councils, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

Community services will have to be ‘drastically scaled back' or cut altogether without further funding for councils, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

A survey by the LGA found 85% of local authorities will have to make cuts to balance their 2024-25 budget.

Of councils with social care functions, three-quarters said cost savings would be needed in their adult social care budget and 69% expected cuts in children's social care.

The LGA said protecting social care from deeper cuts was having a knock-on effect on other services, with two-thirds of councils warning that communities will be hit by cuts to neighbourhood services this year.

LGA chair Shaun Davies said: ‘Extra Government funding will help councils this year but acute funding pressures remain and are forcing many councils to make stark choices about what popular services to cut.'

Councils surveyed said cuts would affect libraries, parks and green spaces, sport, leisure and cultural services.

SOCIAL CARE

GDS Local: A digital transformation partnership for the future

By Ian Murray | 22 November 2025

For too long the Government Digital Service (GDS) hasn't played the role it should for local government, says minister for digital government Ian Murray. He ...

SOCIAL CARE

Review to assess fee devolution

By Dan Peters | 21 November 2025

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a review of council fees to assess their suitability for devolution.

SOCIAL CARE

Council at risk of MHCLG intervention backs urgent reforms

By William Eichler | 21 November 2025

Isle of Wight Council has backed urgent reforms after an independent report warned it risked Government intervention if it failed to resolve serious governan...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames