savings programme
Councils are currently addressing significant budget overspends due to under-delivery of planned savings, particularly in social care and regeneration.
Redbridge Council is projecting a £5.4 million budget overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year, with a £3.490 million under-delivery of planned savings contributing to a £7.7 million overspend in the Place, Communities & Enterprise directorate, as reported in July 2026. Hillingdon Council faced a £36.3 million budget overspend for the 2025-2026 financial year, driven by pressures in children's services, adult social care, and housing, according to a March 2026 report to Cabinet.
In July 2025, Greenwich Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed a £10.4 million shortfall in its savings programme for the 2024/25 financial year, which contributed to a £0.2 million General Fund overspend. This shortfall was part of £33.7 million in new savings agreed in March 2024, with the largest slippage noted in Children's services.
A savings programme is a plan to reduce council expenditure and achieve financial efficiencies. Councils continue to monitor their financial positions and address these shortfalls. There are no upcoming meetings currently scheduled where this topic is on the agenda.
Key facts
- Redbridge Council projects a £5.4 million budget overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year. Source
- Redbridge's Place, Communities & Enterprise directorate forecasts a £7.7 million overspend, including £3.490 million under-delivery of savings. Source
- Hillingdon Council faced a £36.3 million budget overspend for the 2025-2026 financial year. Source
- Hillingdon's General Fund reserve was forecast to be overdrawn by £34.8 million in March 2026. Source
- Greenwich Council faced a £10.4 million shortfall in its 2024/25 savings programme. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.