Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Single-year finance settlements hinder local authority long-term planning; multi-year committed for 2026–27.
Conclusion
In recent years, government has provided single-year finance settlements, with stakeholders consistently calling for multi-year settlements to aid longer term planning and decision making. Written evidence from Cornwall Council highlighted how single year settlements compound the financial challenges it faces and makes longer-term financial planning almost impossible.23 Government has now committed to multi-year funding settlements in 2026–27, the first in a decade, with MHCLG stating they are a crucial way to achieve greater efficiency in local government.24
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 18 September 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗