Issue

Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)

12 stories · discussed at 5 council meetings · 7 councils

Councils are grappling with significant budget deficits, with some indicating a future need for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to achieve financial stability.

Barnet Council is currently discussing strategies to address a projected £198 million budget deficit by 2029/30, with its Cabinet considering a plan to balance the budget by March 2029, as reported in October 2026. A report to the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy in September 2026 indicated that Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) will be required in 2027-28, with deficits potentially reaching £243.5 million by 2030-31.

Haringey Council faces a £21.7 million budget shortfall for the current financial year, attributed to base budget pressures and non-delivery of planned savings, according to a September 2026 finance update. Havering Council is grappling with an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant, as reported to its Cabinet in September 2026. Croydon Council's Cabinet approved a financial strategy in August 2026 aimed at ending its reliance on EFS by 2027-30.

Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) is a form of temporary financial assistance provided by the government to local authorities facing severe financial difficulties, when local measures are insufficient to balance their budgets. This support is considered a last resort for councils facing significant financial pressures.

Key facts

  1. Barnet Council faces a projected budget deficit of £198 million by the financial year 2029/30. Source 1 Source 2
  2. Barnet Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy indicates that Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) will be required in 2027-28. Source
  3. Haringey Council faces a projected budget shortfall of £21.7 million for the current financial year. Source
  4. Havering Council is grappling with an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant. Source
  5. Croydon Council's Cabinet approved a financial strategy in August 2026 aimed at ending its reliance on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) by 2027-30. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 14 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Barnet Council faces £198m budget gap by 2029 Barnet Council faces £198m budget deficit by 2029/30 Barnet 14 October 2026
  2. Barnet seeks tax hike to tackle £113.5m budget shortfall Barnet Council is seeking to implement a tax hike to address a projected budget shortfall of £113.5 million for the 2027/28 financial year. The council's Cabinet met on Monday,... Barnet 14 October 2026
  3. Haringey Council Faces £21.7 Million Budget Shortfall Due to Increased Demand and Funding Gaps Haringey Council is facing a projected budget shortfall of £21.7 million for the current financial year, according to a finance update report presented to the Cabinet. Haringey 19 September 2026
  4. Havering Council Faces £45m Overspend in Dedicated Schools Grant Havering Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, facing an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This substantial deficit is... Havering 18 September 2026
  5. Barnet Council forecasts £2.6m Q1 overspend due to rising demand and financial challenges Barnet Council is forecasting a significant overspend of £2.621 million for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, primarily due to rising demand in key service areas... Barnet 17 September 2026
  6. Croydon Council's Financial Strategy for Sustainability Croydon Council has approved a financial strategy for 2027-30 aimed at returning the borough to financial sustainability and ending its reliance on Exceptional Financial Support... Croydon 2 August 2026
  7. Redbridge Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy Faces Uncertainty Redbridge Council faces significant financial uncertainty, with projections indicating a substantial funding gap from the 2029/30 financial year onwards. Despite securing an... Redbridge 21 July 2026
  8. Redbridge Council Projects £5.4m Budget Overspend Amidst Directorate Pressures Redbridge Council is facing a projected £5.4 million budget overspend for the current financial year, with significant pressures across several directorates, according to a... Redbridge 14 July 2026