ADCS response: Autumn Statement 2023

Reacting to the Autumn Statement 2023 John Pearce, ADCS President, said:

“Today, the Treasury has failed to take the opportunity to address the significant funding challenges facing local government and children’s services who are crumbling under the pressure of more than a decade of austerity, rising demand for help and support and inflation.

“Since 2010 funding for local government has almost fallen by half whilst need is increasing. Several councils are now effectively bankrupt, with a growing number of others dangerously close to this point. The LGA estimate councils face a £4 billion funding shortfall over the next two years. While councils have worked hard to protect children’s services budgets, a growing proportion goes on child protection rather than offers of earlier help and support in the community, because by law we must spend on statutory services, and we must balance our budgets. It’s a vicious cycle and is only storing up bigger costs further down the line. Local government and children’s services urgently need sufficient, long-term funding that recognises the increased level of need in our communities. It’s exceptionally disappointing that despite having some flexibility and financial headroom the government have chosen to ignore the clear evidence they have of a crisis in children’s services and local government more broadly. Our children deserve better.”

ENDS

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