Bath MP calls on government to invest in local councils following “deeply disappointing Autumn Statement”

28 November 2023

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, criticises the Autumn Statement’s absence of investment in local government, warning that struggling councils are on the cusp of bankruptcy.

Wera Hobhouse notes that councils across the country are struggling under severe financial pressure owing to the persistent underfunding of local government. The Bath MP is dismayed at the missed opportunity presented in the Autumn statement to increase the funding to local government.

Mrs Hobhouse warns that councils who are already struggling may be left on the cusp of bankruptcy by the Government’s failure to propose adequate investment in the Autumn Statement. She highlights that the Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) itself currently faces a substantial £35m gap in its budget which must be made up over the next five years.

In a debate on Birmingham City Council in the House of Commons, the Bath MP recently praised B&NES Council for their efforts in trying to rebuild their finances. She asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to provide a timeline for reforming the audit system within local government to better manage the finances of local authorities and prevent further bankruptcies.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:

“The Chancellor unveiled a deeply disappointing Autumn Statement last week. He has failed to recognise the struggles local councils are facing, and passed up a perfect opportunity to begin rectifying years of cuts and underfunding.

“Local councils are some of the best placed to address local needs in the community. The Government must provide them with more funding to do so. Instead, they are allowing local governments to fall into bankruptcy, and failing the needs of people who depend on them.”

B&NES Cabinet member for Resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, commented:

“Once again, the government has completely ignored the dire financial situation in which most councils find themselves. The Statement included nothing to address the skyrocketing costs of social care, which is the biggest structural problem we face. Our residents that use these services - the elderly, the vulnerable, children in need of care - deserve so much better.”