COUNCIL leaders have called for reform of local government finance and an end to “short-term” measures after Michael Gove confirmed that authorities will receive £500 million in emergency funding for social care.

In a written statement on Wednesday, the Communities Secretary said the extra money would enable councils to provide “crucial social care services for their local communities, particularly children.”

The funding package increases the local government finance settlement from a planned £64 billion to £64.7bn, the statement said.