Fourteen councils in England are set to receive £91 million in funding to transform high-cost services. The money, confirmed today, 15 September 2026, is intended to help these authorities modernise services and reduce their reliance on emergency support.
The funding will be distributed over two financial years, with £41 million allocated for 2026-27 and £50 million for 2027-28. The councils receiving support are those already getting Exceptional Financial Support, which aids councils facing severe financial pressure.
Projects include Redbridge using AI-powered technology to help people live independently and Stoke-on-Trent redesigning frontline social work to keep families together. Other councils benefiting include Bradford, Brighton & Hove, Haringey, Havering, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Lambeth, Redcar & Cleveland, Sefton, Trafford, Waltham Forest, and West Berkshire.
Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Jim McMahon OBE, stated that this targeted support is a step forward to end reliance on emergency funding and provide a blueprint for reform across local government.