The success of the Government’s devolution agenda depends on ensuring fiscal powers and resources flow not only to Strategic Authorities but also to councils that understand the distinct needs of individual communities and neighbourhoods.

This is the message at the heart of LCN’s Budget submission, submitted last week to the Treasury, in which we say that “fiscal devolution means a genuine transfer of resources, responsibilities and decision-making power”.

Among the devolutionary measures we seek is councils being allowed to retain a greater share of locally generated revenues, including business rates growth, and the removal of council tax referendum limits.

We also urge the Treasury to enhance the financial stability delivered by multi-year settlements by providing long-term certainty over funding streams including those for waste and environmental services. And we seek the Adjustment Support Grant to be phased out gradually, rather than ending abruptly.

LCN also endorses the Government commitment to prioritise tackling homelessness, but calls for support for councils to achieve this aim. We therefore seek the permanent unfreezing of Local Housing Allowance rates, which remain set at 2011 levels and no longer reflect actual housing costs.

We also urge that councils are given the borrowing freedoms and investment terms needed to deliver social housing at scale, including access to the National Housing Bank.

You can read our full response to the Treasury consultation here: Autumn Budget 2026 submission_FINAL