London council leader warns of '2028 sell-by date' as financial pressures mount amid £2bn funding shake-up

The leader of one of London’s best-run councils has warned of a "2028 sell-by date" for the local authority as financial pressures mount.

Colin Smith, the Conservative leader of Bromley Council in southeast London, said local government stands at a “crossroads” with many facing effective bankruptcy in the next Parliament unless their funding is reformed.