‘Short-sighted’ decision on public health funding
Councils’ public health funding grant will be maintained but not increased in 2021 – a decision labelled “extremely short-sighted” by the LGA in its response to last month’s Spending Review.
The Editorial Team
EU transition funding for local ports
The Government has announced an additional £10 million for port health authorities ahead of the end of the EU transition period on 31 December.
More people advised to shield
The number of people considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to COVID-19 and advised to shield has been expanded by an additional 1.7 million.
‘Review private equity role in care placements’
The LGA has urged the Government’s review of children’s social care to consider the impact of increasing private equity and stock market involvement in the system, after publishing new research that shows the six largest independent providers of placements made £219 million in profit last year.
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.
Learning on your doorstep
Councillors have a vital advocacy role in making their local adult and community education services the best they can be.
Local youth services ‘need more funding’
The Government is to review its programmes supporting youth services in the spring, after announcing £100 million to deliver the National Citizen Service and invest in youth services in last month’s Spending Review.
Spending Review shortened to one year
The Chancellor has decided to only conduct a one-year Spending Review in order to prioritise the response to COVID-19, and focus on immediate support to create jobs.
MPs support greater powers for councils
Eight in 10 MPs say councils should have more financial freedoms and powers to build homes in their area and 72 per cent say they should have more control over local taxes, according to exclusive LGA polling by Savanta ComRes.
COVID-19 grant scheme extended
A grant scheme that provides support with food and bills for vulnerable households during the pandemic has been extended.