The government has announced a £600m support package for councils providing crucial care services and an additional 4% minimum core spending power, up from the planned 3% figure.

The package will primarily see an additional £500m added to the Social Care Grant to help fund social care budgets, a key concern raised by councils.

As part of the funding announcement, councils will have to produce productivity plans setting out how they will improve service performance and reduce wasteful spend, including on consultants and HR spending on equality, diversity and inclusion.