Survey finds one in 10 have discussed emergency support with government amid funding gap of over £2bn next year

One in four English councils could go bankrupt unless they are bailed out by the government in the next two years, a survey has revealed.

Councils are warning of a “worsening crisis” that could result in cuts to vital public services amid a funding gap of more than £2bn next year, according to the survey of chief executives conducted by the Local Government Association.