Experts say backlog increases risk of financial irregularities and risky behaviours going undetected
The early warning system designed to identify English councils in serious financial difficulty is in crisis, with hundreds of local authorities failing to meet the legal deadline to publish audited accounts covering £100bn of public spending.
The vast majority – 99% – of English councils did not have their 2022-23 financial accounts signed off by the deadline this year, which experts say is increasing the risk of financial irregularities and risky behaviours going undetected..
Warrington borough council
Spelthorne borough council
Slough borough council
Scarborough borough council*
Rossendale borough council
Luton borough council
London borough of Tower Hamlets
Harlow district council
Copeland borough council
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority.
