Allowing localism to flourish

David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, and 551 local councillors have written to the Times (£) warning that short-term cuts to care charities will bequeath deeper medium-term costs. They say:

‘Local councils face a difficult spending situation. However, cutting services for the vulnerable does not make financial sense. Without early identification and support, vulnerable individuals will reach crisis point as their needs become more severe, leading to greater pressure on acute health services, the criminal justice system and carers.’

The spending settlement in local government is stringent and some services are being necessarily affected: even model councils like Reading have cut some of its education services. But reformers in local government point out that the effect of grant cuts are a symptom of an inflexible funding system that leaves local government dependent on Whitehall.