Cancel local authority debt

Gateshead Council Labour Group has written to the Labour leadership calling for a national campaign for the funding necessary to prevent a new phase of austerity in local government. "As Labour councillors who are opposed to a new phase of austerity we believe that unless there is a national campaign to press the government to … Continue reading “We must demand the finances necessary to prevent a new phase of austerity in local Government”

Kevin Stephens (pictured), leader of the opposition Labour Group on Gloucester council, informs us that his group moved a resolution (shown below) on cancellation of local authority debt at the September council meeting. The resolution was carried with all party support including the ruling Tories! Kevin told us "There is no doubt that the government … Continue reading Gloucester council calls for cancellation of local authority debt

Wirral council has passed a resolution (see below) calling for the government to cancel local authority debt held by the Public Works Loans Board to help stabilise local authority finances. The motion was moved by Jo Bird and seconded by Christina Muspratt, Labour councillors. It was passed by 39 votes to 20. Greens, Liberal Democrats … Continue reading Wirral Council calls for cancellation of local authority debt

This was a motion moved by Labour Campaign for Council Housing supporter councillor Pavlos Kotsonis at Nottingham City Council. The resolution was passed with the support of the Labour group and three independent councillors.“Councils across the country face critical financial challenges and further cuts to jobs and services. £16billion has been slashed from central government … Continue reading Nottingham council calls for national campaign for sufficient funding to stop cuts

30 Nottingham City Councillors have written to Keir Starmer calling on the Party to campaign for cancellation of local authority debt and funding of councils on the basis of local need. This is a welcome step in the face of the government's refusal to fully fund them for the extra costs associated with dealing with … Continue reading National campaign for funding of local government to prevent a new phase of austerity

Following the publication on Labourlist of the letter to Keir Starmer signed by 30 Notingham City councillors (now 31) calling for Labour to campaign for debt cancellation, Labourlist included in one of its regular surveys of readers' opinion, the question, “Should Labour support cancellation of local authority debt?” Labourlist readers consist of around 80% Labour … Continue reading 81% of Labourlist readers call for Labour to demand cancellation of local authority debt

This is a letter signed by 30 Nottingham City councillors which they have sent to the Labour leadership. Letter to Keir Starmer, Angela Raynor & Steve Reed Dear Keir, Angela and Steve As concerned local councillors and trade unionists we are facing a financial crisis that has been exacerbated by the Covid emergency, but in … Continue reading 30 Nottingham City Councillors call on Labour to campaign for debt cancellation and council funding based on local needs

Analysis of information from more than 50 councils on how the outbreak is impacting their financial position suggests the £1.6bn funding so far promised by ministers will only cover a quarter of the estimated financial impact of the crisis for councils with social care responsibilities. Overall the 51 councils in our sample reported a projected … Continue reading LGC survey shows scale of shortfall of government funding

The government has announced the distribution of its third tranche of funding for councils for the impact of coronavirus. The £500 million brings the total to £3.7 billion. According to the Local Government Chronicle this equates to 83% of cost pressures (extra spending). Councils would have to find £766 million without funding or make cuts. … Continue reading Government funding still insufficient to cover financial impact of pandemic

To broaden the support for our debt cancellation campaign and opposition to a new phase of austerity we have put up this petition. Please sign it and share as widely as possible. https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no-to-local-government-austerity-cancel-debt-needs-based-funding-grants-to-build-council-housing?just_launched=true