A
Ipsos Mori survey in July found that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of local
residents said that local authority budget reductions have not made a
noticeable difference to services[1]. Conservative
ministers think this provides a justification for further cuts in government
grant to councils and an insistence that further cuts in expenditure and
services should be made.
Consultants
PWC found that almost half the people it surveyed were unaware of any
reductions in local council services in their area.[2] However, PWC
had the insight to say ‘To some extent, this is a testament to the success
of local authorities to date in focussing on internal efficiencies while
protecting the frontline’.
Of
course, it may be the case that the cuts to date have not impacted on half the
population. Maybe their family does not include one of
- ·
the
more than 500,000 elderly people who have completely lost their home care
support, or
- ·
the
rest of the elderly or someone with disabilities who have had a massive
hike in fees for their home care, or
- ·
the
vast majority of young people who have completely lost their youth
service, or
- ·
those
who used the more than 600 libraries that have already closed, or
- ·
the
young parents who were supported by one of the nearly 700 Sure Start
centres which, despite David Cameron’s promise otherwise, have closed
since 2010.
I
could go on. However, it’s important to note that less than half of the
cuts announced to date by the government have yet been implemented. Further,
last week, the Chancellor said more big cuts would be required from next year.
Now,
the totally independent National Audit Office has produced a report[3] which
confirms, amongst other things, that
- ·
between
2010/11 and 2015/16, government grant to local councils has been cut by
37%. The cut is even bigger for councils in South Yorkshire.
- ·
a
46% cut in planning and economic development over the same period
- ·
between
2013/14 and 2014/15, there was a 40% cut in spending on adult social care
· The NAO
says, if health and schools spending is to be protected, that inevitably means
that transport, highways’ maintenance, culture (libraries, museums, theatres)
and consumer protection (eg trading standards) are going to be badly hit in the
next couple of years.
Don’t
say you haven’t been warned.
