New local government minister Marcus Jones has warned the sector it faces a 'tough' next spending round. Speaking at a County Councils Network event - one of his first public appearances in his new role - Mr Jones said: 'I don't think I can say it's not going to be difficult going forward. 'I think it will require innovation. There will also be many ways that funding will be devolved. 'It is going to be tough in the next spending round.' Last week, chancellor George Osborne revealed the Department for Communities and Local Government had identified £230m that could be cut this year as part of the Whitehall in-year budget review process. The Treasury had called for unprotected departments to 'rapidly identify options to reduce spending'.
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