End austerity now: Hackney-hosted summit to confront local government funding crisis

Hackney will host an emergency Anti-Austerity Summit that will see councillors and council leaders, trade unions, campaign groups and other organisations come together to confront the national funding crisis threatening the future of local government and essential public services.

The event at Hackney Town Hall on 9 September will convene councils of all political affiliations and groups working with communities to discuss the deepening deepening crisis resulting from more than 15 years of national government-led austerity. 

This event will launch a national campaign to hold the government to account, that will produce  a unified vision, and a practical roadmap for ensuring government delivers for our communities. 

Can I come?

We are welcoming councillors, trade union representatives, politicians, campaigners, third sector organisations and experts. If you fit into one of those and want to come, submit a registration form! 

When is it?

10am - 5pm, Wednesday 9th September 2026

Where is it?

Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, E8 1EA

Any questions?

Please contact us on the following if you have any questions: mayor@hackney.gov.uk 

“Year after year, our residents have been suffering as a result of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and austerity. We have a new prime minister, who is promising an end to neoliberalism. What we need to know is what this means for local government; our communities can’t afford to just wait, or hope for the best.

“This summit will bring together different leaders, parties, unions, and third sector organisations. Together, we will build a united vision for what we need in our local contexts and a practical roadmap for how we secure the funding and powers we need to properly serve our communities.”

Zoë Garbett, Mayor of Hackney

“Across the country, councils of every political affiliation continue to face rapidly rising needs from our residents, without anywhere near the funding or powers to help. 

"Costs are increasing, services are under severe pressure and local authorities still lack the stable funding, fiscal powers and long-term certainty needed to protect the services that our communities rely on.

“This Summit brings together a cross-party, cross-regional group of experts, across a range of issues that people face locally. By doing so, we will be able to engage this new government on what’s needed, and ensure we can deliver for the people counting on us.“

Simon Ripton,  Deputy Leader of Derbyshire Dales Council