Commenting on a new white paper from the Local Government Association that calculates councils in England face a £6.2bn funding shortfall over the next two years, UNISON head of local government Mike Short said today (Friday):
“Councils are facing an existential crisis because of years of severe government underfunding.
“Wave after wave of budget cuts to essential services has harmed communities immensely, with the worst off always the hardest hit.
“Authorities have been forced to sell off buildings, open spaces and other prized assets, and cut thousands of jobs. But still their books won’t balance – and now scores of town halls face effective bankruptcy.
“Without a sustained programme of proper investment many more will go under. This cannot be allowed to happen. Local services, and the councils that provide them, are too important to lose.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
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