2 weeks ago
Change is coming to Lambeth, and not the kind most of us would welcome.
Lambeth Council has announced a £50 million savings package, and it’s set to shake things up across the borough. From dimmed streetlights to the closure of children’s centres, here’s what you need to know.
This one hits hard. Lambeth’s children’s centres, which provide invaluable services for families, could soon be a thing of the past. For many, these centres are a place of support, education, and community—a lifeline for parents and children alike. But with the council’s finances in dire straits, even these essential services are under threat.
Here’s the big issue: homelessness. Lambeth is now spending £250,000 every night on temporary accommodation for the 4,600 families it’s currently supporting. That’s £90 million a year, and it’s absolutely blowing the budget.
To ease the pressure, the council is introducing new policies, including housing families in private rented accommodation instead of hotels. While this might save money, it could also mean moving families out of Lambeth altogether. There’s even talk of accommodation being secured in Dover and Luton—a far cry from local.
The council is looking to save wherever it can, and it’s not just housing that’s affected. Here are some of the other measures on the table:
Even funding for health campaigns promoting exercise and healthy eating is taking a hit.
It’s not just temporary housing that’s causing headaches. The council’s housing revenue account is also in trouble. Rising costs from legal disrepair claims and inflation outpacing rent increases mean reserves could be completely depleted by March 2026.
An in-house arbitration scheme meant to cut legal costs has been suspended because, well, it just didn’t work.
The council’s Labour cabinet will meet on 9th December to finalise these plans. But even with these cuts, Lambeth still faces a £20 million shortfall over the next four years. In short, more savings—or, let’s be real, cuts—are likely on the horizon.
For now, residents are left wondering what the future holds for a borough that’s already feeling the pinch. From rising homelessness to dimmed streetlights, these changes will be felt in every corner of the community.
One thing’s clear: Lambeth is in for a tough ride, and it’s the residents who’ll feel the bumps along the way.
