Clarity on EU citizens’ voting rights
The Government has confirmed that it does not anticipate any changes to UK law covering candidacy and voting rights before the May 2019 local elections.
news
FOBT stakes reduction brought forward
A cut in the maximum stakes on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be brought forward by six months, following extensive lobbying and media work by the LGA.
SEND support funding gap
Vital support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is facing a potential funding gap this year of more than half a billion pounds, according to the results of interim research commissioned by the LGA.
‘New money needed to fund social care’
The Government needs to make the case for national tax and/or social insurance increases to help address the adult social care funding gap, according to responses to the LGA’s green paper.
‘1,000 new child care cases a day’
Social workers are starting new cases for more than 1,000 children each day as council leaders warn services will be pushed to a tipping point without further new money.
Additional care cash in Budget
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced extra funding for social care, potholes, transport and high streets in his latest Budget statement, alongside business rates changes and a new tax on plastic packaging.
Most ‘unprepared’ for care costs
The overwhelming majority of people have not made any plans for how they will pay for their own care in older age, national public polling commissioned by the LGA has revealed.
Car clocking on the increase
The LGA is calling for mileage correction services and devices to be banned after a surge in ‘clocking’, which is putting motorists at a greater risk of buying dangerous used cars with false mileage.
Nursery schools ‘under threat’
Thousands of children with special needs could miss out on daily care and support unless the Government continues to provide extra funding for maintained nursery schools, a survey by the LGA has revealed.
Apprenticeships up
The latest annual figures for public sector apprenticeships show a year-on-year increase, including in local government.