Cuts and localism

The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) says the funding settlement for councils in England for 2011-12 and 2012-13 coupled with the Localism Bill (both published on 13 December) will lead to “unprecedented change in our public services and the governance of Britain”. Local authority spending power will fall by an average of 4.4% next year, with many authorities losing as much as 8.9%, but actual cuts to core central government funding are much higher at 12.1%.

The Localism Bill is supposed to shift power from central government “back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils”. But Unite has dismissed it as a smokescreen for job losses, cuts in services and funding inequalities. Len McCluskey, general secretary-elect, said: “It is not possible have cuts to local government — amounting to 28 per cent over four years — and then expect people and organisations in their areas suddenly to have the inclination, expertise and cash to take over the running of local government, which has taken over a century to develop the range of services it now offers”.