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.