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

The true scale of almost a decade of savage austerity cuts to local communities across Britain is laid bare in a study published by UNISON today (Friday), showing the impact of huge reductions in council funding. A series of freedom of information (FoI) requests across England, Scotland and Wales examined the changes in local services between 2010 and 2019 for several key council services, including youth centres, public toilets, libraries and subsidised bus routes. Central government cuts have led to a 17% fall in council spending on local services in England since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. Between then and the end of the decade, grant funding for councils in England has been reduced by £16bn and there have also been significant cuts for councils in Wales and Scotland. The FoI findings, using data for 330 local authorities show the human cost of the cutbacks: A total of 859 children’s centres and family hubs (which provide support services for babies, young people and families) have been closed, while 940 youth centres have been lost. More than a fifth (21%) of public toilets have closed, with more than 835 public conveniences disappearing since the Conservatives came to power. The number of council-subsidised bus routes has decreased by almost a third (32%), a reduction of more than 1,224 services, increasing the isolation of many living in rural communities. More than one in five (22%) libraries have either closed, been privatised or are now staf...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News Press release children's centres council cuts dave prentis libraries Source Type: news