CYP Now - Fears council funding for statutory services 'will run out within three years'

A third of councils fear funding for statutory services such as child protection will run out within three years as they face an overall funding gap of more than £3bn by 2020, a survey has shown.

The research, conducted by the Local Government Association, found this number rose to almost two thirds by 2024/25.

The LGA, which surveyed 339 member councils, estimates the funding gap for local authorities in England could top £8bn by 2025.

Almost a fifth of councils (17 per cent) were not confident they will make the savings they need to in the current financial year.

An unprecedented rise in demand for children's services, adult social care and homelessness support has seen many councils forced to make in-year cuts to balance their budgets, reports the LGA.

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