Responding to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme announced by government today, Cllr Andrew Western, Chair of the Resources Board at the Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils across England and Wales, said:
“The inclusion of councils in the Government’s six-month energy price guarantee announced today is a positive step which should help mitigate against some of the extra costs councils face this year as a result of spiralling energy costs.
“Alongside energy bills, councils are also facing massive increases in costs due to spiralling inflation and National Living Wage increases both this year and in future years. This is forcing councils to reset budgets leading to cuts to local services just to meet their legal duty to balance the books.
“Further government support will be needed by councils and residents to cope with these ongoing pressures and to protect the services that our communities rely on every day and will be vital to help residents cope through the cost-of-living crisis.”
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