Hampshire County Council reveals major budget shortfall for 2027/28
Authority seeks public consultation amid £199 million funding gap
Hampshire County Council has highlighted a significant budget shortfall projected for 2027/28, with a deficit of nearly £199 million.
According to the Authority's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), the council will face substantial financial challenges that cannot be resolved without government support.
The strategy builds on Hampshire's long-standing record of careful financial planning, prioritising essential services including support for vulnerable children and adults, road maintenance, and school transport.
By March 2028, Hampshire expects to achieve £770 million in recurrent savings over twenty years, keeping Council Tax rates low while maintaining high-performing services.
Outstanding service ratings include Hampshire's Children's Services, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and Adult Social Care, rated Good by the Care Quality Commission.
Despite legislative restrictions on income raising, Hampshire plans open consultations from 2nd November 2026 for residents, businesses, and community groups to suggest ways to balance the budget.
Councillor Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire County Council, stressed the need for government intervention: “A funding gap of almost £199 million cannot be closed through efficiencies alone, and reserves can only be spent once. Ministers must now play their part, with a fair, sustainable funding settlement and the freedoms to reform services locally.”
Feedback from the consultation, which opens next month, will inform proposals prior to final budget decisions in February 2027.