A financial crisis is looming for UK local councils as staggering debt levels are revealed. New analysis by the BBC shows that local councils owe nearly £98 billion. Six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021. Some councils are seeking emergency financial support to avoid bankruptcy, with Middlesbrough Council applying for £15 million pounds. The situation is dire, with some councils owing hundreds of millions, including Sheffield City Council with a debt of £875m, Barnsley with £632m, Rotherham with £557m, and Doncaster with £377m. The crisis extends to Surrey, where three borough councils have built up some of the biggest debts per person in the UK. Warrington Borough Council is also under scrutiny for its 'mountain of debt.'
North East councils owe more than £4bn as figures show 'staggering' debt levels https://t.co/I5dma3JHAa https://t.co/to5kxquC4Z
**BREAKING**: Middlesbrough Council leaders vote unanimously to apply for £15 million pounds in emergency financial support from Gov. This is to ‘avoid a Section 114’ notice, effectively bankruptcy. It follows ‘inherited budget shortfalls’ says council’s finance officers.
WARRINGTON Borough Council is once again in the national spotlight over its "mountain of debt" @WarringtonBC @MrAndy_Carter https://t.co/kZoJjhd98N
Three borough councils in Surrey have built up some of the biggest debts per person in the UK. Tap below to read more: https://t.co/uAeLXfQEwB
How bad is the financial the situation for Middlesbrough Council and what does it mean for the town? https://t.co/FT4DpTpqZt
New analysis by the BBC shows local Councils owe nearly £98 billion. Between April and June 2023 Sheffield City Council had debt of £875m, Barnsley owed £632m, Rotherham £557m and Doncaster £377m. https://t.co/QmudTEC0vp
“Six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021. Spotlight looks at the financial situation at English councils.” 🖊️ @meganekenyon @HarryClrke https://t.co/DOM1MBUt7Y
How in debt are Kent's councils? Paul Lynch from the BBC's Data Unit examines the financial challenges facing councils. Tap below to hear more: https://t.co/tCuUzRG5yc
UK councils with most debt per resident revealed - including borough that spent millions on luxury skyscrapers https://t.co/IByLCP11nx
UK councils most in debt revealed https://t.co/a6TlxNO18p
Councils in crisis: Town Hall debt levels staggering, MPs warn https://t.co/Z3rS8ZDj0I