New analysis from the County Councils Network (CCN) reveals this funding black hole is fuelled by rising demand and costs in just three service areas: adult social care, children’s services, and home to school transport. Together, they account for 83% of the total increase in costs councils are projected to be spending on services by 2030.

Council tax has risen each year over the past decade, but due to local authorities having to prioritise funding for services with high demand, they have had to reduce spending on everyday services such as libraries, buses, road maintenance, and youth services.

Many services have to legally be provided by councils. Councils have said they will have “no choice” but to continue to divert even more funding to care services, which could leave them providing not much else in just a few years.

See also: Birmingham’s entire youth service to be cut to just 23 staff in ‘shattering’ cuts