‘Unsustainable’: Bolton Council overspent by millions looking after children

The staggering sum is around 30 per cent above the £50 million set aside for these services in the year up to April 1.

According to a report for consideration by the cabinet member Martin Donaghy last week, the reason the council went around £15 million over its budget for children’s services was a combination of an increase in cost of services and an increase in demand for services, in particular in terms of placements for children…