News

Councils are facing unprecedented financial challenges, with the increases to employer National Insurance Contributions likely to add significant costs for councils and the wider sector.

The number of children’s social workers employed by councils will need to increase by 13,000 - nearly a third - over the next decade as a result of growing need for the care and support of children and young people and to reduce increasing reliance on agency staff, new research by the Local Government Association forecasts today.

“We look forward to further details from the Government as they step towards a more localised way of delivering employment and skills services and working with them to plan how these changes will work in practice.”

“Councils are facing severe funding and demand pressures, meaning finances are under strain like never before. With a vast majority of councils now struggling to balance the books, the costs from National Living Wage and employer National Insurance increases announced in the Budget must be fully funded."

A joint survey by the LGA with charity Resolve has found that instances of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) are taking longer to investigate due to current information sharing practices, which in many cases are poor and inconsistent.

Latest figures released today show there are 83,630 children in the care of councils. The number of looked after children as of 31 March 2024 is 4.5 per cent higher than in 2020, according to annual Department for Education figures published this morning.

The Government needs to address the funding gap in public health, ensuring that councils are properly resourced to deliver preventative services and improve health outcomes for all communities.

Investment in parks and green spaces is not only a cost-effective way to promote and improve health and wellbeing, but is a priority for all councils.

“As this report shows, we need a renewed focus on improving health, wellbeing, security and opportunity, including for those on lower incomes."

Without immediate investment and a long-term funding strategy, the situation will only deteriorate. Ensuring adequate resources to support working-age adults equally must be a government priority.