New digitalisation framework for councils
A joint new outcomes-based framework for improving and supporting local government digitalisation programmes has been launched by the LGA, the Society for Innovation Technology and Modernisation (Socitm), and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace).
Food strategy ‘a missed opportunity’
The Government’s long-awaited food strategy is a “missed opportunity” to tackle issues around food poverty and obesity, the LGA and others have said.
Childhood obesity target at risk
Around 40 per cent of 10 to 11-year-olds will be obese or overweight by 2030 if trends in childhood obesity continue at their current rate.
Plans to improve tenants’ rights
The Government is to abolish ‘no fault’ evictions – something for which the LGA has long campaigned – and introduce other measures to redress the balance between landlords and 4.4. million privately renting tenants in England.
Sharp rise in children needing SEND support
The number of children in England approaching councils for special needs support has increased by almost a quarter in a year, with 170 young people now starting support plans each day.
Lack of transparency on levelling up funding
The Government has been accused of drawing up rules that allow billions of pounds of levelling up funding to be handed to their favoured areas, in a cross-party report from MPs.
‘Vicious cycle’ of children missing out on early support
Investment in early intervention support by councils in England halved from £3.8 billion to £1.9 billion between 2010/11 and 2020/21, according to a new report commissioned by a coalition of charities.
Measures to ease cost-of-living crisis
Measures to tackle soaring energy prices, including an energy bill discount of £400 for all UK households this October, have been announced by the Chancellor.
‘You can’t level up from Whitehall’
Strong local government should be at the forefront of the post-pandemic recovery and has a key role to play in helping the most vulnerable in society, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey told the LGA’s annual conference.