Local Government ExplainedHow do the UK General Election manifestos stack up against LGIU’s proposed reforms for local government?
LGIU
We’ve mapped out some of the promises made by the three main parties in the UK general election to see how they stack up against the urgent reforms that LGIU calls for in our For the Future of Local Government manifesto.
We’ve mapped out some of the promises made by the three main parties in the UK general election to see how they stack up against the urgent reforms that LGIU calls for in our For the Future of Local Government manifesto, providing an insightful guide on how the major political parties’ policies compare and contrast regarding the local government sector.
(We have used the UK General Election manifesto of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties plus some information from the Labour Party local election manifesto to compile this chart.)
We welcome the widespread political support for devolution, and in our LGIU@40 manifesto we called for decisions to be made at the lowest possible level of government. Bespoke devolution deals, tailored to the specific needs of local communities, are the most effective way to deliver the aspirations of residents. This approach not only provides cost-effective, locally necessary public services but also enhances community engagement by allowing citizens to have a more direct influence on decisions impacting their daily lives.
However, our manifesto analysis has highlighted a significant concern: all political parties have underestimated the severe financial crisis facing local government. The need for urgent action is clear if we are to prevent hundreds of councils from plunging into effective bankruptcy.
Our most recent State of Local Government Finance survey revealed that more than half of local authorities are likely to declare effective bankruptcy within the next parliamentary term (five years), with nearly one in ten (9%) expected to do so within the current financial year. Earlier this year, 19 councils were granted permission to sell local assets worth hundreds of millions of pounds in a bid to balance their books. Without additional funding or the ability to raise their own funds, councils will inevitably fall deeper into debt, regardless of which party has a majority at the next election.
Rebuilding trust between citizens and the state is crucial for democracy, particularly when fulfilling manifesto commitments. National success has local foundations, and the next government needs a functioning local government to deliver its national mandate. The myriad pressures and challenges facing the next government – from housing to social care to record levels of public distrust – can only be tackled in partnership with a resilient, sustainable local government sector.
The LGIU believes that soon-to-be-elected local politicians and a new national government must collaborate to restore trust and confidence in our political structures. This must include a comprehensive reform of local government systems. Local authorities should be granted the autonomy to tailor policy decisions to local circumstances and needs, supported by a funding mechanism that ensures these decisions can be financed effectively and sustainably. Only then can we begin to restore public confidence in the commitment of government and politicians to the welfare of local communities.
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