Local government spending is on course to fall by 10% between 2009/10 and 2011/12 but overall public spending will reduce by only 6% during this period according to latest figures from the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

The IFS says the council cuts are larger 'absolutely and proportionately' in areas of high spending, the urban and poorer parts of England such as London and the North and less in the south east. Spending on planning and development has been particularly hit with a cut of 43% over the two year period, with social services dropping by a more modest 4%.