Local government in Wales is facing a funding crisis. Since 2009, local authorities in Wales have received a real-term cut to their budgets of 22 per cent—£1 billion of funding cuts due to the policy of this Welsh Government. Under the original draft funding proposals, 15 of the 22 local authorities in Wales would have seen a reduction in funding. Needless to say, the proposals were met with considerable dismay by Welsh local government leaders, dismay quickly turning to anger when the Cabinet Secretary for local government compared them to Oliver Twist, always asking for more. 

The leader of Swansea council said that the First Minister should

'distance himself from the comments of the cabinet secretary and consider whether or not it is appropriate for him to remain in the cabinet in his current position...We make no apologies for asking for more resources from Welsh Government to save those services provided by hardworking teachers, youth workers, librarians and care workers that protect the communities of Wales.'

Firstly, this backlash—this Scrooge-like Welsh Government performed a humiliating u-turn. Thanks to extra funding Wales will receive due to the Chancellor's autumn budget, more money was found for Welsh councils. However, even when the new arrangements were taken into account, the fact remains all local authorities in Wales received a real-term cut in funding, the eighth consecutive year of cuts to council budgets.

Councils have also faced problems caused by a funding formula that is not fit for purpose. Firstly, the chorus of discontent about the current funding arrangements—the Cabinet Secretary has contemptuously refused to engage with the sector. The provisional local government settlement for 2019-20 highlighted a clear divide between councils in north Wales and those in the south. All six councils in—[Interruption.] Yes, go on, Mike.