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

Council urged to communicate better with residents

By Neil Merrick | 05 June 2026

A Scottish council has been urged to communicate more effectively with residents over financial savings and changes in the way it provides services.

SOCIAL CARE

MPs scold Home Office over lack of council involvement in asylum

By Dan Peters | 05 June 2026

Local authorities still lack a ‘meaningful say’ in asylum accommodation decisions, a cross-party committee of MPs has warned.

SOCIAL CARE

Councils question financial sustainability and timescales of SEND reforms

By Joe Lepper | 05 June 2026

Councils have raised a raft of concerns around the Government’s plans to overhaul the special education needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

SOCIAL CARE

Unai Emery's brilliance provides a great blueprint for local government finance leaders

By Rob Powell | 05 June 2026

Rob Powell says local government finance leaders have much to learn from Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery as they kick off the next budget and Medium-Term Fi...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames