For years, councils across Wales have been forced to cut the very services that keep people well and communities strong. Youth work, libraries, day care, community support and other early-help services have all been hit hard.
A new report from the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), commissioned by UNISON Cymru, shows the consequences. When preventative services are not properly funded, problems deepen and become far more expensive to fix. The pressure then falls on already stretched NHS and justice services.
Across Wales, workers in councils are doing everything they can to hold services together, but workloads are rising, resources have shrunk and pay has fallen behind comparable roles. These pressures affect families and communities every day.
The report makes one thing clear: Wales needs a shift in how local services are funded. Rebuilding preventative support is essential if we are to reduce demand on crisis services and make long-term savings that benefit everyone.
This evidence raises urgent questions for the Welsh government and those seeking to form the next one: What do we want local government to deliver, and how are we going to fund it sustainably?
Read the full report to understand what must change and why investment in prevention is key to a fairer, healthier Wales.