The Spending Round will be announced on 26 June 2013 and will set out resources for individual departments in 2015-16.
In advance of the Spending Round announcement, London Councils has presented a submission to HM Treasury.
London Councils recognises the Government’s twin objectives of deficit reduction and economic growth and believes that the forthcoming announcement signals a timely opportunity to re-assess how we, as London local government, can best contribute to these goals.
Over the past few years, local government has made a significant contribution to the deficit reduction programme. By 2014-15, we will have seen a reduction in core funding of around 35 per cent. In this context and against a backdrop of rising demand, we have continued to provide high quality services to our local communities – some of which experience some of the most stubborn challenges of social and economic deprivation.
In addressing some of these challenges, London Councils welcomes Lord Heseltine’s recent report on economic growth and his emphasis on strong, local leadership. London has a unique position within the UK and its strong economic performance, now and in the future, will bring benefits to the wider economy.
London boroughs, in conjunction with the Mayor of London and others, play a crucial role in supporting the conditions to ensure London’s economic performance. We are best placed to provide strategic oversight to some of the key drivers of growth and competitiveness.
London Councils calls for:
- Greater local leadership for skills provision and employment support schemes,
- The unnecessary cap on Housing Revenue Account borrowing to be removed,
- London local government to have full discretion over local taxes, fees and charges,
- Further exploration, in the light of Spending Round decisions, with government on the detail of a wider framework for accelerating growth through devolution to London government.