No one ever expected a huge cash giveaway in the Autumn statement, but yesterday's offering was still a disappointment with no respite for local authorities whatsoever.

Any attempts at lobbying for a bit of breathing space for adult social care funding has, it seemed, fallen on deaf ears. Rumours of plans to bring forward the Better Care Fund, or increase the precept for social care came to nothing, leaving councils with very little room left to manoeuvre.