Funding too low for immigrant numbers

Councils are not being funded to cover the social care needs of all immigrants because levels of migration are not fully recognised by government figures, town hall leaders have claimed.

The Local Government Association is seeking more accurate information on how many migrant workers from EU accession states councils must cater for when planning services including social care.

 LGA chairman, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, has written to home secretary John Reid on the issue.

“Councils are finding it difficult to provide services to growing populations that are not recognised by government statistics,” he said.

Slough Council has predicted a 6 per cent increase in council tax on top of inflation to cope with demand for services, added Bruce-Lockhart.

Further information
Local Government Association