Everyone in local government knows people are hungry for more power over their own lives and more control over the places they live.
In December, the Commission on the UK’s Future, led by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, published its report, which, if implemented, would see the biggest-ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people, spreading wealth and opportunity across the UK.
It demonstrates Keir Starmer’s commitment to his promise that the next Labour government will introduce a genuine partnership with local government, delivering the right powers to the right places.
The report acknowledges how councils are more trusted and responsive to local needs than central government, but have been starved of funding and freedoms.
This rings true when looking at the draft local government finance settlement.
While the average 9.2 per cent increase in core spending power was better than expected, it’s still below inflation and leaves councils facing impossible choices.
“People are hungry for more control over the places they live”
Worse, it’s the fifth year in a row we’ve had a single-year settlement, so councils cannot plan with any certainty for 2024 and beyond.
The Government quietly included the expectation that all councils will increase council tax by the maximum amount – placing a significant financial burden on households just to keep services going.
Labour knows councils can only deliver exceptional local services if they have long-term financial certainty.
Gordon Brown’s report would give councils the funding and powers required to grow local economies, and it can’t come soon enough; yet another reason why we need a General Election now.