One of the big problems about government finance is confusing it with a household budget. If we've maxed out our credfit card(s) we cut out all unnecessary expenditure and start paying it back. But economies are not like that. Both political leaders and high level public servants pretend they can keep things going as normal - 'We'll do more with less', 'We'll protect front line services,' 'We'll work smarter'. There are great careers and the possibility of re-election if you state this.
But of course the cracks start to show.
Sir Merrick Cockell, the Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association, has stated that local authorities will have lost a third of their budget by 2015: "This is the calm before the storm. We do not know how big the storm will be or how long it will last."
A survey of more than 80 England and Wales councils by The Guardian today found planning budgets are being hit, with 75% saying there would be cuts in the next 12 months, some of almost 50%. Richard Rogers and other leading architects have warned that the cuts will undermine proposals to give local people more say over planning, instead placing it in the hands of property developers and their lawyers.
Other outcomes include:
• Almost half said they were planning to reduce spending on care services for adults, hitting those with learning difficulties or disabilities.
• More than 50% said they would be cutting the money spent on children's services and a fifth said they would be closing – or transferring responsibility for – youth centres in their areas.
• Almost two-thirds plan to cut spending on culture and sports
The honest assessment is we'll do less with less and in some cases a lot less with less. But there's no career in saying that.
But of course the cracks start to show.
Sir Merrick Cockell, the Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association, has stated that local authorities will have lost a third of their budget by 2015: "This is the calm before the storm. We do not know how big the storm will be or how long it will last."
A survey of more than 80 England and Wales councils by The Guardian today found planning budgets are being hit, with 75% saying there would be cuts in the next 12 months, some of almost 50%. Richard Rogers and other leading architects have warned that the cuts will undermine proposals to give local people more say over planning, instead placing it in the hands of property developers and their lawyers.
Other outcomes include:
• Almost half said they were planning to reduce spending on care services for adults, hitting those with learning difficulties or disabilities.
• More than 50% said they would be cutting the money spent on children's services and a fifth said they would be closing – or transferring responsibility for – youth centres in their areas.
• Almost two-thirds plan to cut spending on culture and sports
The honest assessment is we'll do less with less and in some cases a lot less with less. But there's no career in saying that.
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