Local authorities face ongoing uncertainty over who will fund increases to National Insurance contributions, councillors in Newport have heard.

The UK Government announced last year that employers will have to pay more National Insurance on their workers’ earnings.

In Newport, a council report warns this will “materially increase” the local authority’s staffing costs by around £4.5 million.

Newport’s draft budget for 2025/26 “assumes” this cost will be funded in full, yet councils – and the Welsh Government – are still waiting to find out how much the Treasury will bankroll these increases.

Members of a Newport City Council scrutiny management committee met on Thursday to discuss the budget........

© South Wales Argus