Councils ‘helping firms access funding’
Councils have been working ‘at pace’ to identify and contact eligible businesses to support them to apply for government funding since 1 April, and continue to distribute the cash as quickly as possible.
The Editorial Team
‘Suspend academy conversions’
Academy conversions should be suspended to help overstretched councils focus on supporting schools and nurseries to stay open, the LGA has said.
Boom in digital library usage
Libraries across some parts of the country have seen an increase in newly registered users of more than 600 per cent since lockdown measures were introduced, the LGA has reported.
Support for arts and culture
The LGA has joined forces with Arts Council England and other partners to ensure there is a joined-up approach across the sector to supporting culture through the COVID-19 crisis.
‘End care-health divide’
The coronavirus crisis proves the artificiality of the funding divide between the NHS and social care, according to a recent research note from the think tank Policy Exchange.
Flexibility needed on First Homes scheme
The Government has launched a consultation over its First Homes scheme, which proposes to cut the cost of some new homes by a third for first-time buyers.
Reshaping our support to councils
The majority of the LGA’s work is now focused on helping local government address COVID-19 and its consequences The LGA has re-focused its support offer to councils to reflect the …
‘No knife shop’ pledge
Retailers, including online businesses, need to stop selling knives by default to help tackle the knife-crime epidemic, the LGA has said.
Developing the leaders of the future
The LGA’s programme to find the brightest officers got off to a good start and will continue in the autumn.
Commercial investments ‘to generate income’
Some local authorities in England have invested an estimated £6.6 billion in buying commercial property over the past three years, mostly with the aim of generating a financial return, according to the National Audit Office.