- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced a comprehensive review of local government aimed at slashing red tape and reforming funding.
- The new funding formula will account for deprivation and the “remoteness” of rural areas, considering travel times for services like bin collection and homecare.
- This initiative seeks to replace decade-old data and ensure equitable funding distribution, addressing concerns raised by countryside authorities.
- Plans also include introducing a “public interest test” to reduce costly dependence on external providers and move away from outsourcing as a default.
- The proposals are open for consultation with councils and local authorities, with the government aiming for implementation by April 2026.
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