Michael Gove, the Leveling Up Secretary, confirmed an almost £60 billion package for councils in England for the next financial year on the 19th of December 2022. This is to ensure that councils can continue to provide essential frontline services.
As the government continues to stand by councils and public services in the face of financial challenges, the settlement will result in an additional £5 billion for councils throughout England, a 9% increase over the settlement last year.
Before any local choices are made regarding council tax, the deal for next year includes a one-time Funding Guarantee that ensures every council in England will experience at least a 3% rise in core spending power. This comes on the heels of the confirmation of a new £100 million plan for councils to safeguard the most vulnerable households from council tax rises, fulfilling a promise made in the party's campaign to shield local taxpayers from steep increases.
In addition, the government is placing a premium on social services by allocating an extra £2 billion in grant money for both adult and pediatric social services in 2023/24. Additionally, NHS England has access to £300 million to facilitate the release of patients, thereby increasing capacity.
In response to councils' requests for more time to plan, the government has provided budget details for the next two years (until 2024/25) to give municipal governments more time to prepare.

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