Almost half of England’s councils ‘could face bankruptcy over £4.6bn deficit’

Damning National Audit Office report says action is needed to address deficit accumulated under Tory-era policy

Almost half of councils in England risk falling into bankruptcy without action to address a 4.6bn deficit amassed under a Conservative-era policy, the government's spending watchdog has warned.

In a damning report, the National Audit Office said that rising pressure on public services and repeated delays to reform the funding of local government meant town halls were in an unsustainable" financial position.