More people advised to shield
The number of people considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to COVID-19 and advised to shield has been expanded by an additional 1.7 million.
news
‘Review private equity role in care placements’
The LGA has urged the Government’s review of children’s social care to consider the impact of increasing private equity and stock market involvement in the system, after publishing new research that shows the six largest independent providers of placements made £219 million in profit last year.
Housing need formula to be revised
The Government has said it will update its housing need formula to meet its target of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.
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.
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.