District Councils’ Network responds to Comprehensive Spending Review
Commenting on the Government’s 2021 Comprehensive Spending Review, Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Chair of the District Councils Network said:
“The Spending Review does not deliver the firm financial foundation district councils need to continue delivering essential frontline services and supporting local economies to grow. We cannot see how the £4.8 billion new grant funding announced by the Chancellor will come close to addressing the financial pressures district councils and the rest of local government are under.
“Councils face a triple whammy of rising inflation, higher wage costs from the lifting of the public sector pay freeze and continuing pressures from the impact of Covid.
“This leaves councils with an unpalatable choice between increasing council tax for hard-pressed local residents or cutting services that every local resident and business relies on.
“The last 18 months have been exceptionally challenging for local businesses and district councils across the country have stepped up to support them. We welcome the business rates reforms which will provide stronger incentives for local businesses to grow. And we’re pleased that the Government has committed to compensate local councils fully for the impact of these changes. We call on the Government to work closely with us to implement these changes as efficiently as possible.”
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Contact: District Councils Network Media Office, 020 7664 3333
