Template text to be adapted, for example for regional Labour conferences in early 2025
We welcome the Budget’s allocation of £1.3 billion extra funding for local government for 2025-6, but note evidence from the Local Government Association that this amount will in some areas not even keep pace with increased pressures from councils’ statutory duties, and will not enable rebuilding of council services lost since 2010.
We call on the government rapidly to restore the cuts in local government funding since 2010.
Also, to fund a much increased programme of funding councils to build new council housing and to buy out and and adapt underused properties; to increase the Local Housing Allowance and give councils full reimbursement for temporary housing of the homeless.
Also, to move fast towards a National Care Service, with central funding which guarantees prompt and available care with staff on pay and conditions comparable to the NHS.
We call on council Labour groups and all local Labour Parties to campaign actively, including by street demonstrations, rallies, etc., for these measures; and to work with local government unions on this.
In the interim, by the use of reserves or by other tactics, to refuse to make further cuts. (187 words)
Notes
• The Local Government Association said the £1.3 billion will only “help meet some – but not all – of the significant pressures in adult and children’s social care and homelessness support”.
• The increase in employers’ NI, if not compensated for in the December settlement for local authority funding, will cost council £1.2 billion or more.
• After big cuts, year after year, in funding from central government, many councils are overwhelmed by their statutory duties for social care.
• Many are also overwhelmed by their statutory duties for housing the homeless. Numbers in temporary housing have risen 90% over the last decade, and reimbursement from central government to council for the costs has been pared back.
• Councils are also short of money to meet their obligations for SEND provision.
• Under these pressures, non-statutory council work – libraries, children’s centres, youth clubs – has withered.
Labour councils’ campaign briefing from 2019
Labour Left Internationalists 