Maximising the impact of the LGA’s policy lobbying
As 2025 gets under way, powerful lobbying on the issues that matter most to local government is more important than ever.
The LGA’s top priority is driving home the case for sufficient resourcing and investment ahead of the Spending Review in June.
As well as submitting strong evidence to the review and campaigning throughout the coming months, we are holding a series of direct discussions with the Treasury on children’s services, adult social care, and homelessness.
We are working intensively on the implications of the English Devolution White Paper, to advocate for the sector, and plan for future meetings of the Leaders’ Council with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
We are also working with the Cabinet Office on the public service reform agenda, supporting it in the design of the ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ programme.
The Government’s upcoming public service reform framework will be anchored in continuous improvement and innovation. Instead of top-down reforms, public service reforms will be designed locally – where services meet citizens and involving local places through local councils.
“This is a crucial year for health reforms and we are in regular discussion with government on key issues”
This is also a crucial year for health reforms. We are strongly represented on the working groups for the new 10-year health plan and in regular discussion with government on key issues, including neighbourhood health services.
We continue to lobby for urgent action on funding and reform of adult social care, and are linking with the new Casey Commission team as it is set up.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes long-standing LGA asks, such as tackling profiteering in children’s placements and promoting inclusion in schools.
We are working closely with the Department for Education on implementation and resourcing plans, and the urgent need for action on the special educational needs and disabilities crisis.
We continue to work with MHCLG on practical solutions to housing and homelessness pressures, and to advocate on planning reform.
We are having quarterly ministerial meetings with the Home Office and MHCLG to address concerns about asylum and resettlement, as well as regular engagement on cohesion following last summer’s unrest.
We are championing local government interests on a range of other important matters, too, including net zero, economic growth, transport, waste, building safety, fire services, local democracy, welfare benefits, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
At the LGA, we started this critical year by bringing together our policy teams, external communications teams, research analysts, technology experts and project management professionals into a new directorate, to focus on lobbying for urgent change with maximum impact on behalf of our members.
I am proud to lead this team as Director of Strategy and Policy. We want to work closely with councils and partners in all regions so that our policy lobbying has maximum impact.
We will be setting up a new policy network for LGA policy teams and council policy officers, to share the latest updates from discussions with Whitehall and hear the latest perspectives from different places. We are also working to strengthen relationships with mayoral and combined authorities.
We are very grateful to the many councillors and officers who contribute so brilliantly to the LGA’s policy boards and discussions with central government. There has been a marked shift in tone over recent months towards a more equal partnership, with voices from councils having real influence.
- See the LGA website for more on the LGA’s policy work