FINANCE

Piecemeal won't work

Last week’s Budget contained some vital lobbying wins for local government, but the sector must keep hammering home with the message that the protection of vital local services will require more than incremental concessions from Westminster, writes Cllr David Sparks

Since the chancellor stood at the despatch box to deliver his first Budget in 2010 much has changed for local government. In the five years since then, councils have found billions worth of savings, restructured, created new ways to run services and tackled a 40% reduction in core government funding.

Last week, the final Budget before the General Election confirmed government's intention that austerity will continue, at least up to 2018.

Cllr David Sparks

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