Government must urgently tackle funding problems for struggling councils, says UNISON

Commenting on the announcement of emergency spending controls at Croydon Council, UNISON head of local government Jon Richards said today (Thursday):

“Councils are facing massive pressures and their finances are in peril. While Croydon has had its own problems, this could be the first of many to take such drastic action.

“Local authorities were struggling to balance the books even before the huge costs of Covid, for which the government has given only short-term, inadequate handouts.

“Council workers have been at the forefront of running essential services during the pandemic and shouldn’t pay the price by losing their jobs because of government underfunding.

“This must be a wake-up call to ministers. A long-term plan is needed for local government, recognising the crucial work it plays in keeping communities going.”