The LGIU’s Local Democracy Research Centre has published its 12th annual State of Local Government Finance in England survey.
Each year, the LGIU’s Local Democracy Research Centre surveys council leaders, chief executives, cabinet members for finance, and senior finance officers to find out how local authorities are managing financially.
This year, the research looked at how local government reorganisation and rises in National Insurance Contributions represent additional challenges.

A new report from London's City Hall has revealed that the ULEZ has led to substantial improvements in air quality in outer London and across the capital.
Particle emissions (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts are estimated to be 31 per cent lower in outer London in 2024 than they would have been without the ULEZ expansion. NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions from cars and vans are also estimated to be 14 per cent lower in outer London.

The government has announced up to £33 million will be directed to the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
The Fund is used to improve local infrastructure and essential services that benefit rural communities and help businesses in rural areas to expand.
Projects that will be eligible for funding from the REPF include, community gardens and greenspaces, kitchens in community hubs and improvements to premises used by local volunteering groups, and new footpaths and local visitor trails.

The Welsh Government has announced plans for a fund of £120 million for local councils to fix roads.
The new local government borrowing initiative will provide an extra £10m of revenue funding to local councils to enable them to unlock an additional £120m of capital funding.
The scheme will be designed in close partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and will be open for applications by the end of this financial year.

The Senedd has approved the Welsh Budget for 2025-26, seeing out £26 billion of spending.
More than £3 billion of capital funding will be allocated in 2025-26 to upgrade vital equipment in the NHS and schools, and to build new homes, modernise public transport and support economic growth.
More than £600 million extra is being invested in the NHS and social care, supporting efforts to reduce waiting times and improve mental health and women's health services.

£129 million has been released by the UK Government to support public service transformation in Northern Ireland.
£61 million will go towards expanding the multi-disciplinary team approach to primary care across Northern Ireland, and support five other projects across justice, education and infrastructure.
The funding is the first tranches to be allocated from the £235 million fund created by the UK Government as part of the financial package that led to the restoration of the Executive in February 2024.

£1.5 billion is to be allocated to neighbourhoods across the country, as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods.
High streets are set to be revived, community hubs saved and public services transformed.
75 areas are set to receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade through the plan, which is designed to transform left behind areas, by unleashing their full potential by investing in delivering improved vital community services such as education, health and employment.

Wales is set to receive £100 million of funding through the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods to tackle deprivation and turbocharge growth.
75 areas will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade through the plan.
It is hoped the funding will be help transform “left behind” areas by unleashing their full potential by investing in delivering improved vital community services like education, health and employment.

The National Audit Office has published a report looking at financial sustainability in local government.
The report focusses on The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, (MHCLG) as the department responsible for the framework within which local authorities operate, and which provides transparency over the current position of local government finances.
The report looked at the context of local government finances in 2024; service and financial pressures; and the government’s approach to local government financial sustainability.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has delivered a keynote speech at the Convention of the North, reaffirming the government’s commitment to devolving power and investment to the region. Speaking in Preston, Rayner highlighted the progress made in transferring decision-making authority from Westminster to local leaders, ensuring that “decisions for the North will be made by the North.”