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Budget 2021+

Challenges we face

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, writes on this year’s budget-setting process…

Though there are many reasons for optimism, this is also a city of challenges; a city where over a decade of austerity has left its mark on our communities and public services.

  • Birmingham is ranked the 7th most deprived local authority in England;
  • 490,000 of our citizens are estimated to live in the top 10 per cent most deprived areas in England;
  • Birmingham's claimant unemployment rate stands at 15.3 per cent; above both the West Midlands (9.1 per cent) and the UK (7.8 per cent) rates.

And this is before we factor in the severe impact of COVID-19 on businesses and our economy, which will further highlight the inequalities within our city.

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