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# Council spends 77p in every pound on care services as funding gap grows
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/council-spends-77p-in-every-pound-on-care-services-as-funding-gap-grows/
- Published: 2024-10-29T13:34:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:31:43.000Z
- Description: Suffolk County Council has revealed that children's and adult care now consumes 77 pence of every pound spent as it appeals to the Chancellor for additional local government funding ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Budget.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Councils, #article, Suffolk County Council, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**The big picture:** The council says public funding is not keeping pace with service demands despite implementing cost-saving measures over the past five years.

**Why it matters:** The outcome could affect residents in two ways:

- Future council tax rates could be impacted
- Public service delivery may need to be reviewed

![Entrance to Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722118180-endeavour-house-suffolk-county-council-jpeg-18.jpg)

Endeavour House in Ipswich Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

**By the numbers:**

- 77p of every £1 goes to children's and adult care services.
- The council has made savings over 5 years, but reports its budget gap continues to grow.

**What they're saying:** Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Richard Smith MVO, said in a letter to the Chancellor: "We accept fully how demand for funding for public services is universal, with all eyes looking towards the Treasury for urgent financial relief."

He added: "The council feels it essential that the pressures facing local authorities are fully recognised by government and reflected in the local government settlement."

**Looking ahead:** The Chancellor's Autumn Budget statement is scheduled for Wednesday.

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