The Editorial Team
Tackling barriers to growth could unleash £276bn of economic potential
Councils across England could unleash £276 billion of untapped economic potential – equivalent to more than a tenth of national output – with government support to break down place-specific barriers to growth, according to LGA-commissioned analysis.
SEND transport costs soar
New analysis published by the LGA has found spending by councils on home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is predicted to reach nearly £2 billion this year (2025/26).
Support service for council housebuilding launched
A new initiative to help councils scale up housebuilding in their areas was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister at the LGA’s annual conference in early July.
New ‘outcomes framework’ for councils
A ‘Local Government Outcomes Framework’ and new initiatives to tackle bureaucracy were among the announcements in Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s speech to the LGA’s annual conference.
‘Record’ overspend on social care
Councils in England have recorded their highest social care overspend in a decade – £774 million as of last March.
‘Short-term funding jeopardising VAWG targets’
Efforts to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) are being undermined by fragmented and short-term funding, according to a report from the Commons’ Home Affairs Committee.
Summer childcare costs up 4%
Summer holiday clubs to cover Britain’s six-week school break now cost parents an average of £1,076 per child, according to new figures from the children’s charity Coram.