Brighton and Hove Council is worried about figures which show it could be £5.7 million over budget by the end of the financial year.

There are always measures councils can take to cut spending, including making useful economies and not filling vacancies for a while.

But there are two areas of overspending which are particularly intractable. They are social care and housing.

Councils across the country are struggling with their social care budgets. Brighton and Hove's problems are worse than most.

The city has a large number of old people which puts a strain on resources. It also has difficulties caused by poverty and deprivation.

Brighton and Hove has one of the worst drug addiction problems in the country and there are particular difficulties caused by those with mental illness.

Housing is putting huge pressure on the council. The number of homeless families is rising and there is no sign of a decline.

They have to be placed in temporary housing and ultimately in permanent homes. Although the council has done its best to find housing of its own, hundreds have to be put into bed and breakfast.

It's hard to see how these pressures and the resultant costs can easily be reduced.

The Government may have to give extra help to areas such as Brighton and Hove which face high levels of deprivation and housing need.

It's clear the council does not have the cash to cope on its own.