Local Government Association Spring Budget 2017 – On the Day Briefing

Read our Spring Budget on-the-day briefing

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Key Messages

  • The LGA has been leading efforts to highlight the significant pressures facing adult social care and we are pleased that the Government has started to act on our concerns. Today's announcement of £2 billion for adult social care marks a significant step towards protecting the services caring for older and disabled people in our communities over the next few years. Councils must have full flexibility over how they use this funding. Adult social care is vital in its own right as it helps people of all ages live independently in their communities. Any measures associated with the funding must be proportionate and agreed with local government leaders.
  • As helpful as today's announcement is, short-term pressures remain and the challenge of finding a long-term solution to the social care crisis is far from over. To close the funding gap facing social care additional funding needs to be recurrent and put into local government baselines. The publication of a Green Paper will be vital to securing sustainable, long-term funding for the sector. Local government leaders must play a fundamental part in reaching a solution. All options must be on the table and it needs cross-party national support.
  • The Chancellor has announced some funding to help mitigate the impact of business rates revaluation, particularly for small businesses most affected. Local authorities are well placed to identify who needs this new discretionary relief funding the most. We are pleased that of the majority of pubs will receive business rates discounts and that councils will be compensated for the loss of income. While measures announced today will not lead to any increase or reduction in funding for local government through business rates, there is a risk that some councils will be left out of pocket because of delays to billing caused by the lack of certainty about relief over recent weeks. It is important that the Government reimburses them for any loss of income or extra costs incurred as a result.