Cost pressures

The sharp spike in inflation and energy prices is an unprecedented crisis which could not have been predicted by either central or local government when the Government finalised the local government finance settlement earlier this year and councils set their budgets in March.

Councils now face a perfect storm from demand for services continuing to rise just as the price of providing them is also escalating dramatically. This risks hampering council efforts to help level up communities and support residents through the cost-of-living crisis.

The Government needs to ensure councils have the resources they need to meet these unpredicted costs and protect the services that are helping communities recover from the pandemic and residents cope through the cost-of-living crisis.

Only with adequate long term funding – to cover increased cost pressures and invest in local services – and the right powers, can councils deliver for our communities, tackle the climate emergency, and level up all parts of the country.

Cost of living support hub

Councils and local partners across the country are delivering remarkable services and support for residents impacted by the rising cost of living. Our cost of living hub contains case studies, resources and data to share best practice in this area, covering topics including food insecurity, fuel poverty, health, wellbeing and employment.

Visit the cost of living hub