Spending Review shortened to one year
The Chancellor has decided to only conduct a one-year Spending Review in order to prioritise the response to COVID-19, and focus on immediate support to create jobs.
The Editorial Team
MPs support greater powers for councils
Eight in 10 MPs say councils should have more financial freedoms and powers to build homes in their area and 72 per cent say they should have more control over local taxes, according to exclusive LGA polling by Savanta ComRes.
COVID-19 grant scheme extended
A grant scheme that provides support with food and bills for vulnerable households during the pandemic has been extended.
Legal challenge on virtual council meetings
The LGA is supporting a legal challenge to a decision not to extend emergency legislation on virtual council meetings, calling it “extremely disappointing”.
‘Lack of PPE for social care’
Social care providers were left exposed by a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) because of the Government’s decision to prioritise hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic, a report by the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee says.
Calls to tackle rising child poverty
The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a cross-party call from politicians and researchers for an overarching national plan to tackle child poverty.
Funding ‘barrier to tackling climate change’
Eight in 10 councils surveyed by the LGA have been affected by a climate-related incident in the past five years, such as flooding.
Integrated care systems – consultation
Over the past two years, integrated care systems (ICSs) have been formed across England based on voluntary arrangements.
Green blueprint ‘to create 250,000 jobs’
The UK’s industrial heartlands – including in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, and Wales – will be at the centre of the Government’s blueprint for a green industrial revolution, the Prime Minister has said.
Meeting in the time of coronavirus
Almost every council holds a meeting of all councillors in May, following the local elections.