Following yesterday’s announcement that Nottinghamshire County Council needs to plug a gap of over £60m over the next 3 financial years, the UK’s biggest trade union is calling on the Westminster government to urgently address the ‘broken’ local government funding system.
UNISON, which represents local government workers delivering vital frontline services across Nottinghamshire, says Jeremy Hunt must provide extra grant funding in the autumn statement to help weather the immediate challenges, or local authorities and their communities will no longer be able to cope.
Just last month, a UNISON report revealed councils across the East Midlands have a hole in their finances exceeding £174m collectively for the coming financial year, making it extremely likely they will have to make huge cuts in essential services and jobs.
UNISON East Midlands head of local government Rachel Hodson said: “Councils across the region are on their knees. Derbyshire County Council is trying to plug a funding gap of almost £55m and just this week Leicester City Council effectively waved the white flag too.
“A massive increase in Adult and Children’s services is the greatest cause of concern for Nottinghamshire County Council. These are vital services and can’t run on thin air.
“Our local branch reps are supporting council staff who might be worried by this news and continue to call for the government to step in and provide the funding local authorities desperately need.”
