Councils are making decisions, managing multiple financial challenges and planning for the future with ‘limited assurance about their underlying financial positions,' the chair of Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) has warned.

Steve Freer spoke as new figures showed a worsening backlog, with more than 630 audit opinions currently late after fewer than 60 (12%) of local government bodies' 2021-22 audit opinions were given by the end of November deadline.