Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government
Association, said:
“Ahead of the Budget, the LGA has made the case for government to
address the cost and demand pressures, which have pushed many
councils towards the financial edge. It is encouraging that the
Chancellor has responded today by providing £1.3 billion extra
funding for the next financial year, which will help meet some –
but not all - of the significant pressures in adult and
children's social care and homelessness support.
“Extra funding for children with special educational needs and
disabilities is positive but also now needs to be followed by
fundamental reform of the SEND system, focussing on improving
inclusion in mainstream settings and writing off councils' high
needs deficits. We are also pleased the Government is providing
additional funding to continue children's social care reforms and
to pilot a Kinship Allowance and will set out plans to promote
early intervention to help prevent children and families reaching
crisis point in the first place.
“Today's Budget also includes some positive measures which we
have called for, such as Right to Buy reform, funding for
potholes, childcare, and affordable housing, which will help
councils support early years, repair roads, and build new and
improve existing homes. An extension to the Household Support
Fund next year will also help councils provide welfare support to
vulnerable households. These are all vital issues for our
communities.
“This is a step in the right direction, but councils and the
services they provide to their residents still face a precarious
short and long-term future. The Government needs to give explicit
clarity on whether councils will be protected from extra cost
pressures from the increases to employer national insurance
contributions.
“Only with greater funding certainty through multi-year
settlements and more clarity on financial reform, can councils
protect services, meet the needs of residents and work in
partnership on the Government's priorities, from social care to
housing, inclusive economic growth and tackling climate change.
We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the
Government to address these issues for councils and communities.”
