An investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), the results of which have been published by HuffPost UK, has found that local councils across the country are selling off publicly owned property to raise funds to provide services.  

TBIJ sent Freedom of Information requests to all 353 councils in England to gather information. It found that in some cases, the money is being used to make council workers redundant.

The investigation shows that since 2010 local authorities have lost around 60 per cent of funding from austerity cuts which has meant that community centres, libraries, youth clubs and council buildings and land have been sold to raise money.

The HuffPost UK calls this a ‘double-blow’ for communities that are ‘permanently losing public spaces…only then to use the funds to support the loss of jobs and services’.

The articles points out that this starkly contrasts with Theresa May’s statement at the 2018 Conservative Party Conference that austerity in the UK is over.

Full article:

→ HuffPost UK - Public Spaces Are Being Sold From Under You: Why We’re Investigating The Local Council Funding Crisis