Housing is expected to overtake highways and transport as the largest area of local authority capital spending in 2019/20, according to official statistics.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said local authorities in England have forecast £7.1bn of capital expenditure on housing in 2019/20 - £1.2bn more than the provisional outturn for 2018/19.
This would see housing replace highways and transport as the largest area of local authority spending, which is forecast to decrease by £603m to £6.5bn.
Almost half of the forecast total on housing has been reported by London boroughs, which have predicted spending £3.4bn in 2019/20. This is £1.5bn or 74% more than their 2018/19 outturn.
Officials said highways and transport and housing 'remain the most important service areas and both saw increased overall expenditure in 2018-19'.
There were sizeable decreases to expenditure on environment and regulatory services, trading and education, officials said.
Capital expenditure by local authorities in England totalled £24.7bn in 2018-19, £573m (2%) lower than in 2017-18.
Officials said that while overall capital expenditure decreased, total financial expenditure increased driven by an increase in the grants, loans and other financial assistance economic category.
Total capital expenditure is forecast to rise to £28.0bn in 2019-20, an increase of £3.3bn (13%).
The figures were published in Local authority capital expenditure and receipts, England: provisional outturn, April 2018 to March 2019 & forecast, April 2019 to March 2020.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
