P2030 entails substantial increases in funding assigned to local authorities as well as discretion to add supplements to Property Tax. The budget allocation to local government increases by £29 billion (1.1% of GDP). Half of that is earmarked for the expansion of new Universal Services, including local Service Hubs, Community Food Centres and school kitchens, the Universal Care Service, Right to Life, and Community Housing refurbishments and new builds.
Empowering and Attracting Councillors
Increased responsibilities and budgets at local level will require better paid and supported councillors.
The Democracy Revival policy assigns £2 billion to fund 19,000 Councillors with salaries twice the median earnings in their constituency, overheads, and £25,000 a year for office support. HMRC will publish median earnings for each constituency at the end of each tax year, and councillor remuneration will be adjusted thereafter.
The reform only applies to principal authority seats. Parish and town councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now.
After primary legislation has authorised the reforms, new local elections will be held.