UK councils 'fare better' than their Continental counterparts

摘要

UK councils are 'sitting pretty' compared with some European peers, having been spared the public spending cuts facing troubled Euro-zone economies, according to a controversial Whitehall analysis handed to The MJ. The data is likely to be contested by town halls worst affected by local spending cuts, and is partially based on optimistic Whitehall economic growth forecasts that were revised downwards alongside chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement. However, the comparative data makes some attempt to indicate the depth of the financial problems which may have faced local authorities had the UK not slashed its public spending.