Published on Thursday 18 December 2025
The government yesterday announced the Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement which sets out each council’s core finance allocation for next year.
Our current analysis suggests that BCP Council will receive less funding because of this new scheme.
Reacting to the Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement, Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “We are shocked and concerned following the government’s announcement. Our analysis today shows that our council will lose money over the coming years, and ultimately services that local people value will suffer from cuts or disappear completely.
“All councils across England, continue to face an unprecedented financial crisis as we operate within an extremely difficult economic environment and this settlement makes this situation worse.
“A child who needs more support at school, an elderly parent who needs more care at home, or simply being able to keep our streets clean and safe - our council helps families in all communities, and we are facing a crisis in being able to fully support them.
“Families continue to battle a broken SEND system whilst councils buckle under crippling debt. The government persists in kicking this issue down the road, which without clarity, brings cuts to council services closer.
“For years we have been warning government of this crisis, and we continue to demand a complete reform of the SEND system and a long-term solution that delivers both proper support for families and sustainable funding for all local authorities.
“On behalf of our residents, we are extremely disappointed that this week’s settlement has yet again, failed to address these issues.
“We’re committed to raising these concerns with government and finding a solution”