Commenting on the provisional 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, Chancellor of Essex, Councillor Chris Whitbread, said:
We welcome the additional money into the sector to support adults and social care for 2025/26 - which will particularly support with market pressures. This is however a one year settlement.
"We look forward to working with Government as it develops its new evidence-based funding approach to local government and a multi year deal from 2026/27.
"It is critical that there is sufficient funding in the sector for medium to long-term sustainability, particularly given the demands from services for some of our most vulnerable residents and also in particular Special Educational Needs (SEN).
"We will be sharing further details in the coming days, however our priority will continue to be protecting essential services, supporting the vulnerable and enabling the growth of the county for the benefit of residents and businesses."