Between November 2024 and December 2025, we asked our residents to help us fight for our fair share of government funding by signing our petition and writing to their local MP.

In 2010, the Council received £70 million of Revenue Support Grant which is now £2 million today. The Revenue Support Grant coupled with other funding such as business rates makes up the Council’s core grant known as the Settlement Funding Assessment.  This was reduced from £100 million to £40 million over the same time period. Despite the borough’s fast changing population, Havering’s core grant remains one of the lowest in London.

This formula means Havering Council Taxpayers are having to pay more to fund the increasing costs of helping vulnerable people than in parts of London, like Westminster, and parts of Essex.

Residents took part in our online petition, signed the petition in our libraries and at face-to-face opportunities in the borough.

We received almost 6,000 signatures, a clear demand from residents that Havering deserves a funding settlement that truly meets its needs and rapidly changing population.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, delivered our petition to Downing Street on 18 December 2025.

This action followed the Government’s announcement of its financial settlement for Havering for the next three years.

While the settlement includes an increase to the Council’s ‘core grant’ to just under £40 million, it falls far short of addressing the significant financial challenges the borough faces, following years of historic underfunding, as well as adding new burdens expected of us. 

The petition will now be considered by the Government, and Havering Council will continue to press for a fairer deal that reflects the true needs of our community.

You can read Havering Council’s press release here.