LGA: ‘Invest in local digital transformation’
The LGA has reiterated its call for a Local Government Centre for Digital Technology, in response to announcements on digital services and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Editorial Team
Public health grant increased
The Government has announced an increase in the public health grant for English councils in 2025/26, to £3.858 billion – a cash uplift of 5.4 per cent, or nearly £200 million, and a real-term increase of 3 per cent.
‘Trillion-pound’ cost of children’s mental health
New research has warned the mental health crisis facing children and young people will prevent the Government from boosting economic growth, as well as having an impact on the lives of thousands of young people.
Violence against women ‘significant and growing’
Violence against women and girls remains a “significant and growing problem”, affecting one in 12 women in England and Wales and causing significant physical, mental, social and financial harm to survivors.
‘Unsustainable’ pressure from homelessness
Record homelessness levels are placing unsustainable pressure on local authorities, the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee has warned.
Ofsted proposes fairer education inspections
Ofsted has announced proposals for fairer education inspections and new, more detailed report cards.
Soaring demand for health visitors – survey
A survey by the Institute of Health Visiting has found an increase in complex needs among families, alongside a severe shortage of health visitors and significant disparities in service provision.
Local growth
National economic growth can only be achieved if every local economy is firing on all cylinders.
Funding for UAS children
The Home Office has ended key funding incentives for councils receiving unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children through the National Transfer Scheme.