Local councils are at the forefront of transforming their places for the better.
The upcoming Spending Review represents a massive opportunity for the Government to set the agenda for its ‘Plan for change’ over the next few years.
There are numerous areas local government will be closely watching.
Labour councils bore the brunt of local government funding cuts under the Conservative and Coalition governments.
This Labour government has taken welcome first steps, announcing in November increased council spending power and a new, fairer system that starts to align funding with need.
However, the Spending Review needs to include a significant and sustained core funding increase, and make permanent fairer funding allocations.
The Government has set out an ambitious public sector reform agenda, from major investment in the NHS to the ‘test and learn’ programme learning from local best practice.
Our message remains that local government has the answers and levers to give young people the best start, drive prevention and improved health outcomes, and connect people to employment – and must be resourced and empowered to do so.
Finally, we know that connecting people and places to opportunity is a fundamental ingredient for growth.
“Connecting people and places to opportunity is a fundamental ingredient for growth”
The Chancellor’s decision to boost capital spending by more than £100 billion over this Parliament was badly needed, but its 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy must set an even higher level of ambition if we are to get our local economies firing on all cylinders.