'£8bn funding gap leaving councils on financial brink'

COUNCILS are being pushed towards the “financial brink” as they face a multibillion-pound funding gap, a bombshell report warns.

- By Martyn Brown

Almost three in four Town Halls in England say they are struggling to balance the books.

The Local Government Association said this week’s Spending Review will be critical for the future of local services, with councils facing a funding gap of more than £8billion by 2028/29.

Six - Birmingham, Croydon, Woking, Nottingham, Thurrock and Slough — have effectively declared bankruptcy in recent years.

Pressures