Briefings and responses

Despite welcoming additional funding announced in the 2022 Autumn Statement and 2023/24 Local Government Finance Settlement councils are still under intense financial pressure. Councils face ongoing inflationary and pay pressures alongside spiking demand and market challenges in areas such as children’s social care and temporary accommodation.

Our Autumn Statement 2022 briefing summarises the key announcements for councils and provides an initial LGA view.

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.

Read our 'On the day' briefing for local government.

This briefing sets out the acute financial pressure councils face, and the steps we feel the Government needs to take to address this situation. We provide detail on three key areas of council activity that are experiencing sharp financial and/or demand pressures: adult social care and winter pressures; children’s services; and housing and homelessness services.

The 2021 Combined Budget and Spending Review outlines the Government’s spending plans by setting budgets for each central government department.

The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill seeks to increase the access and availability of chargepoints for electric cars, while also giving the government powers to make it compulsory for chargepoints to be installed across the country at filling stations and enabling drivers of automated cars to be insured on UK roads.

Councils continue to work hard to support and deliver the many programmes for refugees and asylum seekers currently in operation. Councils want to work with central government to find sustainable solutions that minimise the pressures on local authorities, their communities and vulnerable individuals.

Despite the new money, councils still face an overall funding gap of almost £8 billion by 2025 just to maintain services at current levels. It is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain the current level of support for the Armed Forces Community.

All councils have signed the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant and are fully committed to honouring their obligations to those who have served their country.