LOCAL authorities in England are facing a funding crisis which could threaten essential statutory services to the most vulnerable, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned. 

The councils’ national body said local authorities were “being pushed to the financial brink” after four decades of funding cuts by the central government.

Thirty councils have had to be given Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) by the government to head off bankruptcy in 2025-26, said the LGA — up from 18 last year.