Strong support for remote meetings to continue
More than 80 per cent of councils would be very likely or fairly likely to conduct meetings remotely once the coronavirus emergency is over, if they had the power to do so, according to an LGA survey.
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Fire services ‘responded well’ to pandemic
Fire and rescue services have responded very well to the pandemic, with services maintaining their ability to respond to fires and many providing pandemic-specific support outside their statutory duties.
Children locked down in temporary accommodation
The LGA has warned that around 450 primary schools’ worth of homeless children are spending lockdown in temporary accommodation, amid a chronic shortage of affordable housing.
Leaseholders ‘protected’ from cladding costs
The Government has announced a package of measures to protect leaseholders from the cost of removing unsafe ACM cladding from buildings.
Building safety: testing review and new regulator
The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, has announced the establishment of a new national construction products regulator to ensure homes are built using safe materials.
‘Catch-up’ education programme needs rethink
Education inequalities and learning gaps have been exacerbated by the pandemic to such an extent that they are unlikely to be solved by a quick “catch-up” initiative, the LGA has warned.
Right to Buy reforms ‘to increase new homes’
The Government has set out a series of reforms to the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme for tenants wishing to buy their council houses, after years of campaigning by the LGA.
Disabled people at risk
Nearly six out of every 10 people who died with coronavirus in England last year were disabled, official figures suggest.
Green funding boost for 50,000 households
A £562 million government cash boost for green home improvements will upgrade 50,000 households in social and local authority housing with deep insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.
Child harm cases rise by more than a quarter
Serious child-related incidents reported by councils have risen by more than a quarter during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to LGA analysis of latest figures.