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More than £730 million in vital EU cash which could help local communities bounce back from COVID-19 risks going unspent and being sent back to Brussels if the funding is not allocated by the Government before the end of the year, councils warn today.

The local government family has long warned of the growing financial challenges facing councils. Through savings and efficiencies, councils have done everything they can to deliver balanced budgets and ensure vital local services are saved from being cut. Yet for many of our members, they are now approaching or already at the point where their financial sustainability is at risk.  Today we unite to call on the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement to address the significant financial challenges faced by councils, and to protect the vital local services that our residents rely on every day.  But

More than 2.5 million working age people across England claimed a discount on their council tax between April and June this year - the highest number since records began in 2015.

Council tax rises in 2017/18 will not bring in enough money to prevent the need for further deep cuts to local services next year, the Local Government Association warns today.

The Local Government Association is calling for the Government to urgently bring forward details of its comprehensive plan to ensure the financial sustainability of councils this year and next.

LGA media release 8 July 2015   Responding to the Chancellor's Summer Budget today, Cllr Gary Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:   "It is right that the Chancellor has not used his Summer Budget to further reduce in-year local government funding. Councils already have to find £2.5 billion in savings this financial year and these are proving the most difficult savings to find yet. "Councils will now be looking to the Spending Review in the autumn which will decide the future of our public services over the next decade. "It is likely to see councils continue to

“Councils continue to face significant extra cost pressures and huge income losses as a result of the pandemic. The Government’s commitment to fund a portion of lost income from fees and charges is a step in the right direction but does not cover full losses, nor does it extend to commercial income losses."

"Those affected will be pleased that the Government is taking steps to address this issue next year. The LGA will be encouraging all our member councils to respond to this consultation. "

“The LGA has long called for councils to be given greater freedom to borrow to build new homes and today’s Budget has taken a step towards that by lifting the housing borrowing cap for some councils."

“The evidence of the financial strain on councils has been growing and it is hugely disappointing that today's Autumn Statement has failed to provide funding needed to protect the services the people in our communities rely on every day."