WIREDGOV

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association responded to the report commissioned by the Institute for Fiscal Studies into the impact of the pandemic on local government finances in 2020/21 

“It remains hugely difficult to predict the uncertain nature of how this crisis, and its legacy, will impact local government. The pandemic has caused extraordinary financial costs to local government and the effects of COVID-19 on council budgets and cost pressures have continued to be felt into 2021/22 and will be felt for some time to come.

“Councils continue to lead their local communities through the pandemic. Extra government funding and support provided to date has been crucial and it is important that government continues to monitor the situation both in the short and long term, providing vital support to councils when needed.”

Councils’ finances performed much more strongly than initially expected during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic