Briefings and responses

The briefing covers the consultation on the local government finance settlement for 2017/18 and indicative settlements for 2018/19 and 2019/20.

On the 29 September 2016 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), published a consultation on how the legislation will be implemented in the UK. There are some proposals in the consultation which go far beyond the basic legislation and therefore should be seen as discretionary for the UK.

The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the technical consultation on the 2017/18 local government finance settlement.

The Autumn Statement provides a formal update on the state of the economy, responds to the new economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility and announces the Government’s measures to promote economic growth.

The consultation sets out issues that need to be considered prior to implementing the Government's proposals on further business rate retention.

We want to work closely with Government on proposals on the Primary Authority Scheme, apprenticeships, non-domestic rates and plans for a public sector exit payment cap.

The key messages in our 'On the Day' briefing for local government

The LGA has been working closely with Government on behalf of all councils to highlight the financial challenges they are facing over the Spending Review period.

Key messages The Government forecasts the total funding available for council services to be broadly similar in 2019/20 as it is today. In the first year according to the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement there is a fall in ‘core spending power' of 2.8 per cent. Without any increase in council tax there is a fall of 5.3 percent.

Read our 'On the day' briefing for local government