To what extent is the Welsh Government responsible for the financial pressures currently placed on local authorities in Wales that are increasing council tax and cutting back services this year?
Answered by Minister for Finance and Local Government | Answered on 29/02/2024
As I set out in the final budget on 27 February we have protected frontline public services as far as possible. Local authorities are receiving £5.72bn, an increase of 3.3% on a like for like basis compared to 2023-24. Our own budget position, as a result of the level of UK government funding, means that we could not have afforded to meet the total pressures that local authorities are facing.