Our asks

Since 2010, central government funding for councils has fallen by more than 30%. Public services have been cut to the bone, communities have suffered, and pay and living standards have got worse.

A speaker addresses the Anti-Austerity Summit from the lectern, in front of the summit banner

This situation is a political choice. Things can be different.

We have five core asks of government:

  1. More government funding: Restore and replace Local Government Financial Settlements to at least pre-2010 levels, with guaranteed funding for both statutory and non-statutory service delivery. This should be determined primarily on the basis of need, with structural changes made to meet that need.
  2. Cancel local authority debt: Break the cycle of local authorities scrambling to get back on their feet, and let them start a new chapter that ensures residents benefit first.
  3. More funding for more council homes: Provide capital funding to significantly increase the number of council homes built and put to use every year, and ensure a long-term financial commitment to high-quality, accessible and sustainable provision. This must entail ending right-to-buy, and ending the developer-led model.
  4. New, fairer ways to raise money: Reform council tax and introduce new ways for councils to raise funds, that ensures wealthier property and land owners pay a fairer share.
  5. Strengthening our public sector: From increasing powers to local councils; bringing in national regulations to systematically end outsourcing and privatisation practices; funding new models of work such as 4 day working weeks and reduced working hours; restoring and increasing public sector pay; ending pay disparities across demographics and seniority; and improving working conditions.