New Times,
New Thinking.

You Ask Us: why are so many councils going bust?

After recent local authority financial horror stories, a Labour Party in government may be warier of devolving power to them.

After being surpassed by India, Britain now has the world’s sixth-largest economy. But, one listener asks, how do we square this position with our crumbling services? And on the subject of government funding, another listener asks: will Birmingham City Council’s financial crisis make Labour more wary of devolving power to local authorities?

Anoosh Chakelian, Rachel Wearmouth and Freddie Hayward answer these questions.

Subscribers to the New Statesman can listen ad-free in our app. Download it on iOS or Android.

Not a regular podcast listener? Read our guide on how to listen to New Statesman podcasts.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Why Rachel Reeves needs to focus on food in schools
No health, no growth
Tackling cancer waiting times