Council tax hikes will not stop cuts to local services, authorities warn

LGA says government budget cuts and the cost of higher wages will outweigh additional income

Unprecedented increases in council tax starting in April will not offset cuts to services including children’s centres and libraries, local authorities have warned.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said councils in England would raise an estimated £1.1bn through higher council taxes in 2017-18, but this would not cover the £1.4bn lost through cuts to central government funding plus the higher wage bill of £1bn.

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2ESfpzQ