LOCAL authorities representing some of England’s poorest communities warned today that elements of this year’s funding settlement for councils disproportionately favours wealthier areas.

The Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (Sigoma) accused the government of shifting its focus away from local needs.

The group, which represents 47 urban councils in some of the most deprived areas in England, made the comments in response to the government’s consultation on the settlement for 2024-25.