Barnet joins London councils to challenge £292m funding cut
Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster launch joint legal bid under Sustainable Communities Act
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Barnet Council has joined three inner-London boroughs in a legal bid to block government funding reforms that would remove £292 million from their budgets over four years. The councils say the cuts, proposed under the Fair Funding Review, will force reductions in essential services and increase council tax for residents.
Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster councils announced the challenge on 3 September 2026. Barnet confirmed its participation the following day. The councils will submit a formal proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act, which allows local authorities to request the removal of policies they say harm their communities.
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Councils say cuts will hit services and residents
Kensington and Chelsea Council estimates it will lose more than £100 million over four years if the reforms proceed. Council leader Elizabeth Campbell said the cuts would lead to service reductions and tax rises, describing the decision as one made in Whitehall, not locally.
The consequences will fall on residents: cuts to services and tax rises forced upon them, entirely as a result of decisions taken in Whitehall, not this Town Hall.
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Wandsworth Council reported a 40% reduction in core government funding since 2020. Council leader Robert Morritt said demand for services such as adult social care and children’s services continues to rise, while funding falls. Westminster Council added that its annual economic output of £95 billion supports jobs and tax receipts across the UK.
Residents invited to respond
Wandsworth Council launched a resident engagement survey on 4 September 2026, seeking views on the proposed funding changes. The survey closes on 15 October 2026. Kensington and Chelsea will open its consultation on 10 September 2026. Barnet Council said its own survey will begin next week, with details to be published on its website.
The councils plan to submit their joint proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act by 30 September 2026. If accepted, the government must respond within three months. A decision on whether to amend or withdraw the reforms would follow, though no timeline has been set for implementation.
What happens next
The four councils will finalise their proposal by 30 September 2026. The government must then consider the challenge and respond within 90 days. If the proposal is rejected, the councils could pursue further legal action, though no decision on this has been announced.
Questions this report answers
+How much funding will the councils lose under the Fair Funding Review?
Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster councils estimate a combined loss of £292 million over four years. Kensington and Chelsea alone faces a £100 million reduction. The councils say this will force cuts to services and higher council tax for residents.
+What is the Sustainable Communities Act and how does it help?
The Sustainable Communities Act allows local councils to challenge government policies they believe harm their communities. The four councils will submit a proposal by 30 September 2026, asking the government to reconsider the funding reforms. The government must respond within three months.
+How can residents support the challenge to the funding cuts?
Wandsworth Council has opened a survey for residents to share their views, closing on 15 October 2026. Kensington and Chelsea will launch its consultation on 10 September 2026. Barnet Council said its own survey will begin next week, with details on its website.
+What happens if the government rejects the councils’ proposal?
If the government rejects the proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act, the councils could pursue further legal action. No decision on this has been announced. The government must respond to the proposal within 90 days of submission.
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