Gloomy outlooks, grim predictions, and dire warnings have become a feature across Greater Manchester town halls. For years, councils have talked about tightening their belts in the face of government funding cuts.
Now, councillors fear they’re ‘at the cliff edge’. The word ‘unsustainable’ has been used by two council chiefs. One leader says ‘there's nothing left to slice off’ in trying to make ends meet.
Unlike the government, local authorities cannot borrow to finance day-to-day spending. Legally, they must pass a balanced revenue budget — where outgoings are covered by income. READ MORE: The battle to build Greater Manchester's tallest skyscraper has heated up after latest twist And officials in Greater Manchester say it’s getting harder and harder to do that.
Worryingly, a quarter of English councils say they’ll ask for a government bailout soon. Officers are therefore anxiously awaiting the Chancellor’s October 30 budget — so how are Greater Manchester’s finances faring?