Electoral lottery
Labour has lost a net 22 council seats in by-elections since July, with its average vote share in all such contests falling by more than 10 percentage points.
Laying bare the financial challenges
In November, we welcomed the great and the good of the local government world to Buckinghamshire, for the County Councils Network’s (CCN’s) Annual Conference 2024. We met in Marlow under dramatically different political circumstances compared with recent history. But while it is all change in the composition of MPs in the Commons, CCN’s approach to advocacy has not changed.
Youth services ‘under threat’
The LGA has warned that youth services are “under threat” without fresh investment in local grass-roots provision for young people.
Better information sharing needed to tackle ASB
Incidents of antisocial behaviour (ASB) are taking longer to tackle because of inconsistent and insufficient information sharing between agencies, a new survey of councils has found.
‘Place-based’ approach to employment
Local government is to be given nearly £300 million to develop new ways of tackling unemployment and inactivity, as part of the Get Britain Working White Paper.
£740m for SEND building adaptations
The Government has announced a £740 million funding package to increase the number of places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England.
Deadline set for cladding remediation
A 2029 deadline for removing dangerous cladding from tall buildings has been set by the Government, as part of a new Remediation Action Plan.
Children’s social care reforms announced
The Government is introducing new reforms to stop children’s home providers in England from making excessive profits, by requiring them to share financial information or face limits on their earnings.
Rising care costs for working-age adults
The cost of care for working-age adults could reach £17 billion by 2030, according to a report from the County Councils Network.
Ofsted warns of ‘huge challenges’
While there are many reasons to be positive about the future of education and children’s social care, huge challenges remain.