Libraries and other services to be closed as councils grapple with 3.2bn shortfall

A child at a public library. Some councils are already cutting vital services as they prepare for a tough year

- Rowena Mason Whitehall editor

Libraries and children’s centres are closing and home pick ups for young disabled people are being cancelled as councils try to meet a £3.2bn budget shortfall next year.

With inflation and energy prices eating into budgets, local authorities across the UK are facing a record funding gap that is unlikely to be plugged by central government, as the Treasury is seeking to squeeze spending to make up for a £30bn-£50bn shortfall in the public finances. 

Almost nine in 10 predict budget gap in the 2023/24 financial year , according to data collected from 391 local councils by Unison through freedom of information requests and financial statements.

The union said its data show ed the biggest budget shortfall was the £80m being faced by Birmingham city council, which list ed Liz Truss’s mini-budget as one of the contributing factors in its worsening finances.

In the past few days, the numbers have worsened in several major council areas. Edinburgh reported this week it was also facing a £80m black hole , up from £70m last month, with the Labour council leader warning of “probably the worst cuts I’ve seen in my time in this council”.