New national lockdown as vaccines rolled out
Priority groups are receiving their first vaccine doses as the country begins another round of national lockdowns.
The Editorial Team
Regulatory services ‘under pressure’ from EU transition
Key local services on the frontline of the COVID-19 response face additional pressure as a result of the end of EU transition arrangements.
Schools closed and exams dropped
The LGA has praised the work of school leaders and councils in switching overnight to remote learning for pupils, after the latest lockdown was announced on 4 January.
Provisional finance settlement published
Last month’s provisional finance settlement has been published – and sees new funding for adult and children’s social care.
Fire safety
The LGA has been pressing for new guidance to prioritise fire risk assessments of the most high-priority buildings.
Honours for public service
Local government workers, firefighters, teachers, police officers and foster carers were among the public sector workers on the New Year Honours List 2021.
Pandemic leaves ‘legacy of abuse’
School closures during the first national lockdown left local authorities with a “legacy of abuse and neglect” to respond to.
A million homes ‘awaiting development’
More than a million homes on land earmarked for development by councils have yet to be brought forward by developers for planning permission.
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.