Bolton Council building

UNISON opinion: Why councils are on the brink – and how they can be pulled back

Everyone knows why councils are on the brink of bankruptcy – a massive 41% cut in government funding over a decade, while demand for services has grown. But there is an alternative for a sustainable future for the local services we all rely on

Council bailout cash not even a short-term fix, says UNISON 

Councils need proper and sustained funding, not panicked quick fixes to keep the wolf from the door in an election year

The cash crisis in councils is worsening by the day

That will mean even more cuts to services and further hardship for communities everywhere.

Councils face ‘dire’ cash crisis totalling more than £3.5bn

Huge funding gaps mean job and service cuts are inevitable

Christina McAnea, arms folded, in front of conference stage - 'Fighting for our future'

Blog: How much trouble is your local council in?

As council budgets are slashed by central government, bankruptcies will continue to increase. Only emergency funding now will save our local services

Councils face cash crisis of more than £3bn, says UNISON    

Services at risk unless Westminster sorts council budget crisis

UNISON research reveals scale of council deficits

Finances have been hit by increased spending to deal with COVID and a reduction in income because of the pandemic

Government must urgently tackle funding problems for struggling councils, says UNISON

Council workers should not pay the price for budget problems

Investment must be bigger to protect and strengthen valued public services

Local councils will need financial support to oversee building projects

Shocking picture of austerity cuts to local services is revealed by UNISON

Hundreds of youth centres, libraries and public toilets causing huge impact on communities

In the fight of our lives

General secretary Dave Prentis has a message for UNISON members and their families, explaining why he will be voting for Labour on 12 December

British pound coins

Government should heed report’s call and fund councils properly

Select Committee report urges Government to support councils

Library workers ‘put heart and soul into service’

UNISON lays down plans to protect service and workers after hearing of members burned out and facing threats and violence

Cuts increase risk to public in England and Wales

UNISON report shows how austerity is damaging the environmental health service provided by councils

New report shows devastating impact of council cuts

Investigation reveals that councils across England have sold public buildings and land to fund basic services and redundancy payments