Title

FINANCE

Airport windfall helps council reduce cuts

Extra revenue generated from Manchester City Council’s stake in the Manchester Airport Group has helped the authority scale back planned cuts.

Extra revenue generated from Manchester City Council's stake in the Manchester Airport Group has helped the authority scale back planned cuts.

The council has announced cuts of £30m over the next three years despite last autumn's warning they would have a budget shortfall of between £40m and £75m.

This is despite the Government's financial settlement leaving Manchester £1.2m worse off than anticipated though council tax will increase by 4.99% - including the 3% social care precept - in 2017/18 and 2018/19, and 1.99% in 2019/20.

Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said: ‘The last few years have been very challenging for the council as we have had to deal with continuing cuts at the same time as increasing pressures on services.

‘This has been exacerbated by unfair government funding settlements, which have hit big cities such as Manchester the hardest.

‘We remain determined to do all we can, working with Manchester people and other partners, to continue to protect the vulnerable and give everyone the opportunity to share in the success of the city's growing economy.

'This budget process underlines this partnership approach as we attempt to strike the right balance which, inevitably, still involves some difficult decisions.'

 

FINANCE

Think-tank warning over social housing reforms

By Joe Lepper | 11 June 2026

Historically low grant funding to councils threatens to derail the Government’s social housing reforms, a think-tank has warned.

FINANCE

The net zero realist

By Paul Marinko | 11 June 2026

Housing remains one of the greatest strains on council finances and the Government’s public promises tend toward the unrealistic, but one housing director in...

FINANCE

Unlocking the true power of culture

By Heather Jameson | 11 June 2026

Bradford’s year as City of Culture may be over, but it has left an imprint on the people and place. The MJ, Gatenby Sanderson and Bradford City Council broug...

FINANCE

Scottish councils funding falling short

By Paul Marinko | 11 June 2026

Funding for Scottish councils is failing to keep pace with rising costs and demand according to the Accounts Commission.

Popular articles by William Eichler