Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, has today (19 December 2022) approved a nearly £60 billion funding package for councils in England for the next fiscal year to ensure that councils can continue to provide important frontline services.
The settlement means councils throughout England will receive an additional £5 billion, a 9% increase over last year's settlement, as the government continues to support councils and public services amid financial difficulties.
The deal for next year contains a one-time Funding Guarantee that ensures every council in England will get at least a 3% increase in core spending power prior to any local choices being made regarding council tax. Alongside this, the government confirms today a new £100 million scheme for councils to safeguard the most vulnerable households from council tax hikes, fulfilling the campaign pledge to protect local taxpayers from excessive increases.
In 2023/24, the government will provide an additional $2 billion in grant funds for adult and child social care. Also included is £300 million for NHS England to help increase capacity by facilitating patient discharge.
As a result of listening to councils, the government has provided greater clarity through 2024/25 by defining spending for the following two years, allowing town halls to confidently plan ahead.

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