Bankrupt Council receives emergency bailout

It has been confirmed that Bedford Borough Council will receive £58m for 2026-27 and £22m for 2025-26, from the Government. This is emergency bailout money, or Exceptional Financial Support (EFS).

Councillor Henry Vann commented, "This is a dark day for Bedford Borough’s residents. It is confirmation that the Mayor has driven the Council to bankruptcy. The Council can’t pay its bills in this or the next year. Only a Government bailout of millions of pounds can keep the Council afloat. Worse, this is not a gift, but an emergency loan that will have to be paid back for decades to come."

Exceptional Financial Support for local authorities for 2026-27 - GOV.UK