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

Oldham Labour offers olive branch to break impasse

By Dan Peters | 17 July 2026

Oldham Council’s Labour group has offered ‘greater collaboration’ with other parties after the authority’s third attempt at electing a leader and cabinet fai...

SOCIAL CARE

Making care everyone's business

By Jess McGregor | 17 July 2026

Reform of adult social care will only succeed if it is built through a stronger public understanding of care as something that touches families, communities ...

SOCIAL CARE

The problem with housing: Viability

By Heather Jameson | 17 July 2026

Uncertainty, viability and devolution: local authorities face a collection of hurdles and opportunities when it comes to delivering much-needed housing. The ...

SOCIAL CARE

Select committee chair urges Burnham to reform council tax

By Martin Ford | 16 July 2026

Andy Burnham has been urged to reform council tax by a select committee chair.

Popular articles by Ellie Ames