About our work

The Local Government Finance Division focuses on developing the case for fair funding for London local authorities. London boroughs rely on funding from central government - whether through general formula grant or from specific and area based grants. The LGF Division carries out research and undertakes a range of statistical analysis to make the case for an appropriate level of funding. We produce numerous research and lobbying documents to highlight the needs of our member authorities and promote funding changes which benefit them.

We provide information and analysis for member authorities to enable them to make their own case on funding issues. And we work with elected members and finance officers from boroughs to develop proposals for changes to the overall financial system which would benefit London.

Recent work includes:

Counting the Cost - March 2010

This booklet highlights some of our concerns at the approach being adopted for the 2011 Census, and proposes practical actions that should be taken now to strengthen the process and achieve a more accurate result.

Four Block Muddle - fundamental flaws in formula funding - February 2010

London Councils' publication 'Four Block Muddle - fundamental flaws in formula funding' argues that changes made to the formula funding mechanism in 2006-07 have left us with a system that is wholly unsuitable for planning and managing public finance as we go forward in the current economic climate.

Capital Crisis - enabling investment in London - January 2010

The focus of this booklet is to highlight the actions London boroughs need central government to take if the capital finance system is to operate more effectively at the local level. London Councils believes that if the government proactively works with us to swiftly advance our recommendations the capital finance system canprovide the framework to re-enable the investment the capital's residents and economy need to accelerate London out of recession

Do the maths: tackling shortages of primary school places in London - April 2009

Looking at the evidence for and solutions to an extraordinary demand for primary school places in London