Serious concerns about the record number of investigations launched when information suggests a child is being seriously harmed has prompted councils to call for emergency funding in the forthcoming Budget.

New figures published by the Department for Education show the number of of “Section 47” investigations in Yorkshire and the Humber reached 180 per 10,000 children last year.

The number of investigations has continued to increase in recent years, with councils overall now handling 66 more cases a day than in 2019.

LGA analysis shows that inflation, wage pressures and levels of demand mean English councils face a £2.3 billion funding gap in 2025/26, rising to £3.9 billion in 2026/27 – a £6.2 billion shortfall across the two years.

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