A new support package for refugees, announced in December, includes increased ‘thank you’ payments for longer-term hosts of Ukrainian arrivals and a £500 million fund for councils to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict.
Vital investment plans to boost business, support communities and regenerate high streets have been approved by the Government, following an LGA warning that projects were at risk because of continual delays.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all first readers a belated happy new year, and I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful festive break.
Everyone in local government knows people are hungry for more power over their own lives and more control over the places they live.
Days before Christmas, the Government published its provisional local government finance settlement, setting out the details about local government spending in the coming financial year.
More money for social care and schools, a 7 per cent cap on social housing rent rises, and new devolution deals in Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and the North East were among the announcements in last month’s Autumn Statement.
Councils will have no choice but to implement significant cuts to services unless the Government provides extra funding to meet demand and cost pressures, the LGA has warned.
Councils need financial certainty to maintain public services and help deliver growth
Amid ongoing financial, economic and political uncertainty, the LGA continues to call strongly for a long-term government plan to put councils’ finances on a sustainable footing.
