Briefings and responses

We are seeking assurances from the Government that this Bill will have no detrimental impact on local government.

We are seeking assurances from the Government that this Bill will have no detrimental impact on local government.

Alongside Council Tax, business rates represent the largest source of income for councils. In 2018/19 business rates are forecast to raise a total of £24.8 billion, of which about £12 billion is expected to be retained by councils under the current 50 per cent scheme.

We continue to engage extensively in discussions with the Government on the implementation of further business rates retention and the Fair Funding Review. These reforms are important and are something local government has called for.

The LGA is here to support, promote and improve local government. We will fight local government's corner and support councils through challenging times by making the case for greater devolution, helping councils tackle their challenges and assisting them to deliver better value for money services.

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, delivered the 2018 Budget on 29 October. There were a number of tax and spending announcements of relevance to local government, and the Chancellor outlined the trajectory of overall public spending for the 2019 Spending Review.  

The Chancellor’s Budget, delivered on Monday 29 October, provided a formal update on the state of the economy, responded to the new economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility and announced the Government’s fiscal measures.

The LGA welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on the level of audit fees. The consultation proposes that the 2019/20 scale audit fees and indicative certification fees are set at the same level as the scale fees applicable for 2018/19.

On 13 December the Government announced the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2019/20.

The Local Government Association is here to support, promote and improve local government. We will fight local government's corner and support councils through challenging times by making the case for greater devolution, helping councils tackle their challenges and assisting them to deliver better value for money services.