Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26
Local authorities in England will have £69.4 billion to spend in 2025/26. Here we look at the changes in this year’s funding, and the longer-term context.

An explanation of the 'general power of competence' available to local authorities and other bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The general power of competence (226 KB , PDF)
The general power of competence denotes the power to do “anything that individuals generally may do”. It is available to local authorities and some other types of body in England, local authorities in Wales, and local authorities in Northern Ireland.
This note provides an explanation of the general power of competence, the related ‘functional power of competence’, and the well-being power. It sets out some of the background to the introduction of the power, and notes some of the impacts of the use of the power.
The general power of competence (226 KB , PDF)
Local authorities in England will have £69.4 billion to spend in 2025/26. Here we look at the changes in this year’s funding, and the longer-term context.
A briefing paper which "maps" (or summarises) the main elements of the United Kingdom's uncodified constitution.
This briefing note explains the system of referendums on council tax increases in local authorities. It sets out the legislative framework and the thresholds that have been set in previous years.