51�Թ�

Mrs Russell called on MPs to attend meetings host by F40 – a group made up of the lowest funded councils in the country – saying she had "lost count of the amount of times I've given them root and branch detail of just exactly what the problems are and how we need their help".

So what happens if there's a root and branch review, with every spending line scrutinised, new priorities set and given more funds and others squeezed or cut?

The so-called "root and branch" review of the UK's defence capability, led by former UK defence secretary and Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, looked at everything from equipment to personnel to future threats.

“The sooner universal injunctions are eliminated root and branch, the better.”

He believes the regulatory system needs a "root and branch review".