£100 million boost for Liverpool services as council sets out new budget plans

Liverpool is set to see an additional £100 million invested into vital services over the next year as the city council reveals its proposed budget.

Around £90 million of that funding will go directly into demand-led services including adult social care, Children’s Services and homelessness support — ensuring some of the city’s most vulnerable residents continue to receive essential help.

Cleaner streets, better parks and new jobs

More than £7.5 million will be allocated to parks, green spaces and street scene services such as rubbish removal, street cleansing and grass verge maintenance.

Plans include:

Over 100 new jobs and apprenticeships ring-fenced for local young people
26 new barrow walkers and street washers to tackle grotspots
Replacement equipment for every play park in the city
Bringing parks up to Green Flag standard

This builds on £2.5 million committed last year, which included the introduction of School Streets schemes designed to improve safety around schools, boost air quality and encourage active travel.

Community funding and youth services expansion

A new Community Renewal Fund worth almost £4 million over the next two years will give ward councillors resources to work alongside local groups to address deprivation and community issues.

Youth services will also see further investment, with an additional £500,000 allocated this year on top of a previous £500,000 commitment — creating a £1 million package aimed at increasing the number of youth workers in communities.

£231 million for infrastructure

The council will also spend £231 million on capital infrastructure projects in 2026/27. Investment will include:

Roads and safer, greener streets
School buildings
Social care and health facilities
Leisure facilities
Energy efficiency improvements in public buildings

Government settlement and funding changes

Following a new three-year Government settlement and the Fair Funding review, which takes deprivation into account, Liverpool is expected to move from sixth to fifth highest in England by 2029 in terms of Core Spending Power per head.

The council will receive an additional £186 million in funding between now and 2029 — a rise of just over 25 per cent — including £69 million in 2026/27.

Council Tax is proposed to rise by 4.99 per cent, in line with most local authorities in England.

The final budget will be agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday 4 March.

Liverpool’s budget in numbers

8,000 people receiving Adult Social Care
1,300 looked after young people
£34 million spent on homelessness services
£73 million allocated to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme
£15 million invested in street cleansing and rubbish removal
£3 million for the Citizen Support Scheme supporting people in crisis

What council leaders are saying

Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson said the settlement represents the strongest funding position in 15 years.

He said while it does not replace funding lost during austerity, it allows the council to make strategic investment decisions focused on rebuilding neighbourhood services, improving parks and green spaces, and strengthening leisure and youth provision.

He added that the three-year settlement provides greater certainty for long-term planning and visible improvements in communities.

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finances, Resources and Transformation, Cllr Ruth Bennett, said delivering value-for-money services remains central to every budget decision.

She highlighted ongoing work to modernise back-office processes, improve income collection from rent, Council Tax and Business Rates, and reduce costs — including cutting £900,000 from postage spending.

She also confirmed that transformation programmes are underway across demand-led services such as children’s services, adult care and homelessness to ensure long-term sustainability.