Comitato delle Regioni Ue: EU's Regional and Local Barometer warns: €180 billion COVID gap will hit public services

EU's Regional and Local Barometer warns: €180 billion COVID gap will hit public services 

EU CoR President Tzitzikostas warns €180 billion gap hole in local finances and criticises national governments' failure to consult local governments in investment plans.

The Regional and Local Barometer – produced by the European Committee of the Regions – published today has warned that the EU's recovery is being undermined by a failure by national capitals to consult cities and regions on EU-funded emergency recovery plans. 

The prospect of EU funds not being directed where cities and regions feel they are most needed also risks exacerbating problems posed by an €180 billion funding gap between spending and revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (...)