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

Scottish councils reject reorganisation

By Martin Ford | 09 November 2026

Reorganisation is not the answer to resolving the financial crisis gripping councils, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has said.

FINANCE

Impact of ICB cuts leads councils to moot legal challenge

By Paul Marinko | 06 November 2026

Councils have been warned they may need to test the legalities of Integrated Care Board (ICBs) cuts as restructuring plans leave gaps for them to fill.

FINANCE

Worcestershire CC budget: Social care costs and local government funding pressures

By Phil Rook | 04 November 2026

Rising social care costs and funding uncertainty are a challenge as Worcestershire prepares for reorganisation, says Phil Rook.

FINANCE

Fiscal devolution: Roadmap is a good starting point

By Alex Walker | 04 November 2026

Alex Walker says fiscal devolution has started to take shape. But the destination should be more local freedom over tax rates and more revenue growth kept lo...

Popular articles by William Eichler

-->