Tory-run Thurrock council faces inquiry over ‘exceptional’ debt levels

External commissioners to take charge of finances amid grave concerns' local services could be at risk

The government has launched an urgent investigation into the finances of a Tory-run council amid grave concerns" that local services are at risk from the authority's exposure to more than a billion pounds in loans it took out to fund a series of commercial investments.

The communities secretary, Greg Clark, said government-appointed commissioners would take full control of Thurrock's finances because of fears over the exceptional level of financial risk and debt incurred by the council".