And yet, the scale of the pressure on those services has become more intense than anyone can recall since this particular cycle began in 2010. There was some recognition in the Spring Budget of the scale of the issue around adult social care. We know it is not enough and we may be struggling to agree with some key partners what the money is for, but it was welcome that more resources were made available.

The challenge around children's services has become more significant. Most London authorities are overspending on children's social care and funding for special educational needs and the high needs block of the dedicated schools grant are particular pressure points. That much I could have written at the start of the summer. I would have also written about inadequate provision for implementing the Homelessness Reduction Act. The fact that the National Audit Office has laid bare the facts of a 60% growth in the number of households in temporary accommodation since 2011 only adds to this.