Each year, the LGIU surveys council leaders, chief executives, cabinet members for finance, and senior finance officers to find out how local authorities are managing and responding to an increasingly challenging fiscal environment. Read the report.

Download the presentation that was used in our member-only Ask the Expert session into the 2026 State of Local Government Finance report findings. View now.

This briefing responds to the government’s unveiling of their final settlement for councils in England, as well as the announcement of the Local Outcomes Framework and the major spending commitments on SEND within the settlement. Read more here…

Given the increasing complexity of the challenges that local authorities face there is a growing need for proactive, strategic approaches to risk management. Read more…

Examining funding systems across many different countries, illuminates the interplay between finance, governance, and power, offering valuable guidance for developing innovative solutions to long-standing challenges. Read this article.

LGIU’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Carr-West and Dr Greg Stride from the Local Democracy Research Centre get together to discuss all things local government finance – including the big question around financial sustainability for the sector in England and further afield. Watch now.

This training considers how councils receive their funding and how they plan, manage and report spending. The session also explores how councillors can effectively engage with their council’s financial decision-making processes. 14 July

Our finance training is designed to provide councillors with a thorough grounding in local government finance and funding. We break it into four modules, which can be booked individually or as a complete programme tailored to your council’s circumstances. Learn more about bespoke training.