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

Preventing illegal parking

By Glynn Barton | 25 March 2026

Amanda Barrie and Glynn Barton explain how BCP Council implemented a landmark government trial to combat illegal parking on 10 days’ notice.

SOCIAL CARE

How we manage LGR without losing focus on vital regeneration work is paramount

By Sheila Oxtoby | 25 March 2026

LGR is clearly a huge challenge, says Sheila Oxtoby, 'but we are determined not to lose sight of delivering on our key strategies via initiatives like Pride ...

SOCIAL CARE

Council tax goes up by £10bn in five years

By Paul Marinko | 25 March 2026

England’s council tax bill has gone up by more than £10bn in five years, new government data has revealed.

SOCIAL CARE

Council workers offered 3.3% pay rise in 'full and final' deal

By William Eichler | 25 March 2026

Local government workers have been offered a pay increase of 3.30% from 1 April 2026 in what the National Employers for local government services describe as...

Popular articles by Ellie Ames