The relationship between Whitehall and councils has broken down, with local leaders feeling ‘disrespected and marginalised,' according to a think-tank behind a major new report published today.

One council leader spoken to by the report authors accused central government of ‘bludgeoning' local government financially and treating it ‘disrespectfully,' with the relationship now at an ‘all-time low' after being hindered by frequent ministerial reshuffles.