00:00Local councils across the capital face a combined budget shortfall of £5.2 billion over four
00:07years, according to London councils. The organisation says nine boroughs now rely on the government's
00:14exceptional financial support scheme, which allows emergency borrowing to help balance budgets.
00:20It says the gap has grown from the £4.7 billion forecast in October.
00:25London council's estimates a shortfall of almost £1.2 billion for the financial year,
00:32driven by demand for social care, homelessness support and special educational needs services.
00:38Its chair, Stephen Cowan, says funding has failed to keep pace with rising costs and demand.
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