Whatever happened to localism?

by Simon Bottery, Director of Fundraising, Policy and Communications

Localism was supposed to be one of the coalition's main drivers, but local authorities are faced with seven percent annual decreases in their grant from central government, while many central budgets have got off more lightly. The one token concession to localism in the comprehensive spending review was the decision not to ringfence the additional £1bn of funding provided for social care. Small comfort for local authorities, this. They can use it to plug the holes opening up in social care provision as our population ages (which is exactly what they should do as we await real long term proposals in July). Or they can spend it on 'non-essentials' (nb intention here is irony) like roads, children's services and refuse collection, which already face huge cuts. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.