Millions face potential local election delays until 2027
Up to 63 council areas in England may postpone May 2026 local elections to 2027 amid a government reorganisation of town halls. See the full list of affected areas.
Category : Search result: local authority finance
Farage: UK a 'Banana Republic' Over Election Delays
Nigel Farage accuses Labour and Tory councils of 'colluding' to postpone local elections for millions until 2027. Read the full story on the democratic row.
Labour's funding shake-up could trigger council tax rises
Economists warn Labour's council funding raid could force tax increases across the UK, with six areas facing unlimited rises from 2027. Discover the impact on your bills.
Council Tax to Rise as New Funding Formula Shifts Cash
A new three-year funding settlement for English councils uses a 'Fair Funding' formula to direct more cash to deprived areas. Find out if your council tax bill will increase and which local authorities are affected.
New funding deal boosts deprived councils, cuts affluent ones
Manchester, Bradford and outer London boroughs gain spending power in a new three-year settlement aimed at 'left-behind places', while affluent southern councils face cuts. Will it restore pride?
Reform UK's turbulent first seven months in local power
After taking control of 10 councils, Reform UK's 'anti-woke' agenda faces the reality of local government in Lancashire. Helen Pidd reports on care home closures and rising complaints.
Flooding nightmare at award-winning Cotswolds estate
Residents of the Buttercross Works development in Witney face constant flooding, safety hazards, and plummeting property values due to a failed drainage system. Discover their fight for a solution.
£2bn Tax Loophole in Car Finance Scandal Exposed
A major tax loophole will let banks and lenders avoid £2bn in corporation tax on car finance compensation. Ministers are urged to close it. Read the full story.
Swindon Council pays £138k after own vans clamped
Swindon Borough Council has paid £138,000 in fines after its own highway maintenance vans were clamped outside its offices. Deputy leader calls it 'not our finest hour'. Read the full story.
2,000+ children vanish from UK care yearly
Shocking report reveals 2,400 trafficked and asylum-seeking children went missing from local authority care last year, exposing critical safeguarding failures. Urgent action needed.
Councils Sell Assets to Avoid Bankruptcy
Facing a financial crisis, 60% of key English councils plan to sell social clubs and sports centres to fund soaring social care costs. Explore the stark choices local authorities are making.
Judge condemns 'astronomical' private care costs
A judge has criticised 'astronomical' costs charged by private care providers after a council agreed to pay almost £300,000 for a teenage boy's placement. Discover the urgent call for government intervention.
Martin Lewis Launches Car Finance Claim Tool Amid Scandal
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis unveils free calculator helping millions potentially claim thousands from car finance mis-selling scandal. FCA investigation ongoing.
School Transport Costs Surge 24%, Councils Warn of Crisis
Exclusive investigation reveals English councils' home-to-school transport costs have surged by 24%, leaving vulnerable families and local authorities in financial distress.
Birmingham Council Bankruptcy "Probably Avoidable" Says Expert
Exclusive analysis reveals Birmingham City Council's financial collapse might have been prevented as expert questions Labour leadership's decision-making in Britain's second city.
Woking Council Bankruptcy: Property Investments Create Crisis
Exclusive investigation reveals how Woking Borough Council's disastrous property investments created Britain's worst financial crisis in local government history, with taxpayers facing astronomical debt.
Birmingham Mayor demands greater devolution powers
Birmingham Mayor Andy Street joins forces with Labour's Dan Jarvis in unprecedented cross-party alliance demanding Westminster devolve real power and funding to England's regions.
Birmingham Council Bankruptcy: Inside Britain's Worst Council Crisis
Exclusive investigation reveals how accounting failures and political paralysis pushed Birmingham City Council into the biggest local government financial crisis in UK history, forcing devastating cuts to essential services.
Surrey Labour splits over £1.2bn council debt crisis
Exclusive: Labour faces internal division in Surrey as two councils consider breaking away amid government pressure to address catastrophic local authority debt. The political earthquake threatens Starmer's authority in traditional Tory heartlands.
Woking gets £500m bailout in council shake-up
The bankrupt Woking Borough Council secures a massive government rescue package as Surrey County Council takes control of key services in a dramatic local government overhaul.
Woking Council declares bankruptcy with £1.9bn debt
Woking Borough Council faces financial collapse with a staggering £1.9bn deficit, joining a growing list of UK local authorities in crisis. Discover how risky investments and government funding cuts created this perfect storm.
FCA Under Fire Over Soaring Consumer Complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority faces mounting criticism as consumer complaints against financial firms skyrocket, revealing serious gaps in investor protection and regulatory oversight.
£150 council fine for fallen tree branch shocks homeowner
A Kent woman was left stunned when her local council slapped her with an extreme £150 fine after a small branch from a neighbour's tree fell into her garden during stormy weather.
Christmas tree arrives amid bin strike fury
A London council faces public outrage after installing a Christmas tree while bin collections remain suspended due to ongoing strike action, sparking accusations of misplaced priorities.
Council Tax Crisis: Local Authorities Demand Funding Overhaul
UK councils issue urgent warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves as financial pressures threaten essential services including social care, libraries and bin collections.
Cardiff Council abolishes cabinet system in governance overhaul
Cardiff Council votes to abolish its cabinet model, returning to a committee system that promises greater transparency and cross-party involvement in decision-making.
NZ Government Dramatically Cuts Māori Council Representation
New Zealand's coalition government has dramatically reduced guaranteed Māori representation on local councils, cutting dedicated seats by more than half in a move critics call a devastating blow to indigenous rights.
Lloyds Bank Faces FCA Motor Finance Probe
The Financial Conduct Authority launches investigation into Lloyds Banking Group's motor finance practices, potentially impacting millions of customers and leading to significant compensation claims.
Lloyds adds £800m to car finance compensation pot
Lloyds Banking Group faces mounting costs as it allocates another £800 million to cover compensation for historical motor finance commission claims, bringing total provisions to a staggering £2 billion.
Lloyds faces FCA car finance commission investigation
Lloyds Banking Group is under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority regarding historical motor finance commission arrangements, potentially impacting millions of customers.
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