Despite the evidence 

“ Throwing money at the problem won’t solve it.” Margaret Thatcher.  NASA disproved that theory in putting a man on the moon.

“ Spend alone doesn’t explain differences in performance between LA’s.” Audit Commission. No but poverty, low income , and health inequalities does present a bigger challenge for some LA’s. 

It’s not about the money is a dangerous slogan. Of course you can have a well run authority despite austerity. However with inadequate funds a LA offers less, helps fewer people, has less impact on the local economy, is less able to tackle the wicked issues, brings less to the partnership table and  has to scale back its ambitions for local people. So it is always about the money. 

Blair Mcpherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk