Cities can unlock potential, summit hears
Cities can level up the country, grow the economy and tackle the climate crisis if they have the right resources and extra powers, urban leaders have said.
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Scrap costly funding bids, says levelling up inquiry
Costly competitions between councils vying for vital funding pots should be replaced to help realise the Government’s levelling up agenda, an LGA inquiry has found.
Unfunded NHS pay rises could mean cuts to services
Councils have warned that proposed new NHS pay rises could lead to cuts to vital public health services if they are not funded, after the new public health grant settlements were published.
‘Perfect storm’ for homelessness services
Some councils are ‘still not getting it right’ when it comes to preventing people from becoming homeless, according to a report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Rough road ahead…
The Government spent 31 times more per mile maintaining motorways and A roads last year than it did on funding councils to repair crumbling local roads, according to LGA analysis.
215,000 children missing out on free school meals
Nearly a quarter of a million children are missing out on free school meals worth nearly £500 per child because of the lack of an automated sign-up system, according to the LGA.
Tougher rules needed to tackle underage vape sales
The LGA has called for strict new measures to regulate the display and marketing of vaping products in the same way as tobacco, to crack down on a rise in stores selling to children.
Rising number of Ukrainians homeless
Councils have helped more than 160,000 Ukrainian nationals to settle in the UK since Russia invaded just over a year ago.
Bus funding extended after council warnings
The Government has temporarily extended funding support for bus services after the LGA warned that thousands of local routes could be lost without it.
‘Urgent support’ needed for sport and leisure
A coalition of more than 200 bodies and individuals from the worlds of health, sport, recreation, and leisure – including the LGA – has written to the Prime Minister calling for urgent intervention and greater support for grassroots facilities and clubs, amid the ongoing energy crisis.