Croydon and Thurrock councils put into special measures

Croydon (pictured) and Thurrock were already being partially overseen by independent commissioners, but ministers have been frustrated by what they see as the slow pace of recovery. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Two local authorities have been put into special measures after struggling to recover from the bad investments and governance failings that pushed them into effective bankruptcy.

Thurrock borough council in Essex has been told that government-appointed managers will take over the day-to-day running of operations, including overseeing all major financial and senior staffing decisions.