The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (Cipfa) annual survey of the UK’s libraries has revealed that almost 800 libraries have closed under the Conservative government since 2010.
Not including Northern Ireland, the analysis highlights that there are 3,583 library branches still open in the UK – 35 fewer than last year. Since 2010, 773 have closed, meaning that a fifth of the UK’s libraries forced to close over the last 10 years have occurred against a backdrop of a 29.6 per cent decline in spend.
In fact, national spending on the service topped £1 billion in 2009/10 but dropped to under £750 million in the last year, with the number of paid librarians having also dropped. There were 24,000 salaried staff working in libraries in 2009/10, but last year there were 15,300 recorded employees and more than 51,000 volunteers.
Rob Whiteman, Cipfa chief executive, said that the figures showed a sustained trend where local councils on tight budgets had been forced to redirect funding to priority services such as social care.
The CEO of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) Fiona MacGregor will step down after more than ten years in the role.
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published its annual statistics about the social housing sector.
The new Bus Bill has become law, aimed at making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has set a 2029 timeline for the removal of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from all schools an
Awaab's Law has come into effect today in a bid to ensure safer housing for tenants.
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Join us for the landmark 10th Anniversary of the London Build Expo, the UK’s largest and most influential construction and design show.
Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo returns to Excel London across 12-13 November, once again bringing together the world of logistics, supply chain, eCommerce and retail innovation for two dynamic days of opportunity.
Every sport, from grassroots football to world-class tournaments, depends on one constant: high-quality playing surfaces and well-maintained green spaces.
Bauder marked a major milestone in its UK expansion with the official handover of a brand
At Words of World, we specialise in professional translation and interpreting, d
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) have successfully completed a groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the future of cleaning. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the cleaning industry, reflecting a shared commitment to embracing innovation with confidence.
The Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) new framework on Language Services (RM6302), dealing with translation, transcription and interpreting, is live, running from 7th May 2025 to 6th May 2028.
