Hackney Council Halts Library Cuts After Funding Boost 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council proposed reviewing and reducing opening hours across its eight libraries in October 2025 to save over £773,000 amid severe budget pressures, aiming to avoid permanent closures.
• Proposals included potentially closing some libraries for up to three days a week or shortening evening hours at four sites to 6pm instead of 8pm on at least three days.
• Public consultation on the plans launched in late October 2025, with in-person events at libraries like Dalston CLR James Library, Homerton Library, Shoreditch Library, Stamford Hill Library, and Clapton Library, running until 27 January 2026.
• On Friday, 6 February 2026, Mayor Caroline Woodley announced she would ask the Cabinet to scrap the proposals due to improved financial outlook from new government funding.​
• The reversal follows the government’s Local Government Finance Settlement and Fair Funding Review, providing Hackney with a 25% increase in core funding over three years and higher-than-expected allocation.​
• Mayor Woodley stated: “I have always said that if our financial situation changed, I would act. Thanks to a fairer funding agreement from central government we now have the breathing space to reconsider. That is why I am asking the Cabinet to halt the review into reducing library hours.”​
• Mayor Woodley added: “I know how much our libraries mean to our residents. They are safe havens, study spaces for young people, and vital hubs for digital access and community support.”​
• The proposal to halt the review will be presented to Cabinet at its next meeting; if approved, libraries will maintain current opening times.​
• Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, said: “This is fantastic news for our library staff and the thousands of residents who visit our branches every week. We know our libraries are a lifeline for many people in many different ways. We are proud to have kept all of Hackney’s libraries open during years of austerity, and we are committed to keeping them at the heart of our communities. This settlement allows us to do just that for the years ahead.”​
• Hackney Council operates eight libraries plus a Community Library Service for housebound residents.​
• In December 2025, Mayor Woodley welcomed the multi-year Fair Funding Review settlement.​
• The decision ditches controversial proposals that had sparked fury among residents and campaigners over “salami slicing” of public services.

Hackney (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – Hackney Council has reversed its controversial plans to slash opening hours at its eight libraries following a boost in government funding through the Fair Funding Review, ensuring no reductions for now.

Mayor Caroline Woodley announced the decision on 6 February 2026, just days after the public consultation closed, stating the borough’s improved financial outlook allows the review to be halted. This comes after October 2025 proposals aimed at saving over £773,000 to avoid shutting any libraries permanently amid severe budget pressures. The eight libraries, vital community hubs, will maintain current schedules if Cabinet approves the Mayor’s recommendation at its next meeting.

What Triggered the Original Library Hours Proposal?

In October 2025, Hackney Council launched a public consultation on reducing opening hours across its eight libraries due to a projected budget deficit and major financial challenges. As reported by the Hackney Citizen, the council faced a £51 million budget gap, exacerbated by government funding issues discussed at a scrutiny panel by Naeem Ahmed, group director of finance and corporate resources.

The proposals, outlined in council documents, included two main options: one closing some sites for up to three days a week, and another keeping more days open but closing four libraries at 6pm instead of 8pm on at least three days weekly. Evening Standard journalist Barney Davis reported fury from residents and campaigners, who branded it “salami slicing” of public services, warning it would harm vulnerable groups.

Hackney Council emphasised the need to keep all branches open, stating:

“We are proud of our eight Hackney libraries and we want to ensure that we can keep them open so that every resident continues to have access to a good, modern library close to where they live.”

The consultation ran from late October 2025 to 27 January 2026, with drop-in sessions at Dalston CLR James Library on Saturday 15 November (1pm-3pm), Homerton Library on Wednesday 26 November (3pm-5pm), Shoreditch Library on Thursday 27 November (5.30pm-7.30pm), Stamford Hill Library on Tuesday 9 December (10am-12pm), and Clapton Library on Friday 12 December (3pm-5pm).

How Did Government Funding Change the Council’s Plans?

The turnaround stems from the government’s Local Government Finance Settlement and Fair Funding Review outcome, confirmed recently, delivering higher-than-expected funding for Hackney. In December 2025, Mayor Woodley welcomed the multi-year settlement, which sets out a 25% increase in core funding for the borough over the next three years.​

As per the official Hackney Council news release, this extra central government funding has improved the council’s financial outlook for the coming year, allowing reallocation to protect library services. Mayor Woodley explained in her statement:

“We had to consider changing library opening hours in the face of the financial pressure we faced. However, I have always said that if our financial situation changed, I would act.”​

She further noted:

“Thanks to a fairer funding agreement from central government we now have the breathing space to reconsider.”

This aligns with earlier concerns over the Fair Funding Review’s potential detrimental impact, as warned by council officials in November 2025.

What Did Mayor Caroline Woodley Say About Libraries?

Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley has consistently highlighted the importance of libraries to residents. In her 6 February 2026 announcement, she said:

“I know how much our libraries mean to our residents. They are safe havens, study spaces for young people, and vital hubs for digital access and community support.”​

Woodley added:

“We are listening to residents, and we are acting to protect the services that make Hackney a fair and inclusive place to live.”

She committed to asking Cabinet to halt the review, stating it would be formally presented at the next meeting.​

MyLondon reported her full statement:

“I have always said that if our financial situation changed, I would act. Thanks to a fairer funding agreement from central government we now have the breathing space to reconsider. That is why I am asking the Cabinet to halt the review into reducing library hours.”

Woodley had previously welcomed the December funding settlement.

Which Libraries Are Affected in Hackney?

Hackney Council operates eight libraries across the borough, including Hackney Central Library (1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ, open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm), plus others like Dalston CLR James, Homerton, Shoreditch, Stamford Hill, and Clapton, where consultation events were held.

A Community Library Service supports residents unable to visit branches. All faced potential hour cuts, but now stand to retain current operations. Typical hours, as at Hackney Central, reflect evening and weekend access valued by users.

What Is the Reaction from Council Officials?

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, welcomed the news enthusiastically. He stated:

“This is fantastic news for our library staff and the thousands of residents who visit our branches every week.”​

Kennedy continued:

“We know our libraries are a lifeline for many people in many different ways. We are proud to have kept all of Hackney’s libraries open during years of austerity, and we are committed to keeping them at the heart of our communities. This settlement allows us to do just that for the years ahead.”​

Hackney Labour’s X post on 7 February echoed:

“The Labour Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, has today (6 Feb) asked Hackney Council’s Cabinet to halt its review into reducing library opening hours.”​

What Happens Next for Hackney Libraries?

The Mayor’s proposal goes to Cabinet at its forthcoming meeting. If approved, the consultation halts immediately, preserving current hours. This averts closures of up to three days weekly, as criticised in October 2025.

Residents can continue accessing services unchanged, with libraries remaining “lifelines” per Cllr Kennedy. The decision underscores responsiveness to public feedback and funding shifts amid ongoing austerity pressures.

Why Were Budget Pressures So Severe Initially?

Hackney faced “severe budget pressures,” prompting the October review to save £773,000 without permanent closures. Evening Standard noted “major financial challenges” and a £51m gap, with Fair Funding Review risks highlighted by Naeem Ahmed.

Campaigners on platforms like Facebook urged using reserves temporarily and demanding fair funding, arguing cuts harm vulnerable residents. The council prioritised keeping all eight open.