COVID restrictions lifted as Omicron peak passes
Face coverings and COVID passes are no longer legally required in England, after the relaxation of Plan B rules came into effect in late January.
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New vision for adult social care
The Government has set out a 10-year vision for adult social care in England, in a long-awaited white paper.
Cash for councils up 6.9%
Council core spending power could increase by 6.9 per cent in cash terms in 2022/23, according to the provisional local government finance settlement.
Funding to tackle low vaccine take-up
Councils are to get £22.5 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to encourage people to come forward and get vaccinated.
£1 billion support for businesses
The Chancellor has announced £1 billion in additional support for businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant.
‘Nearly all children affected by pandemic’ – Ofsted
Good, well-structured, face-to-face education and the return of sport and extra-curricular activities will help most children catch up with lost learning and improve mental and physical health, Ofsted’s annual report finds.
Funding to get rough sleepers vaccinated
The Government has announced a ‘Protect and vaccinate’ scheme to help increase vaccine uptake among people who are homeless and sleeping rough.
Change ‘urgently required’ to fire services
Fire and rescue services in England are improving, but more change is urgently required, according to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services’ ‘State of fire’ report.
Winter package to protect social care
A £300 million fund to help recruit and reward social care workers, alongside extra support for the vaccination booster programme to protect the vulnerable and those providing care, was announced before Christmas as part of a new winter support package for the care sector.
Honours for LGA leaders
The LGA’s chairman and chief executive are among the local government recipients of New Year Honours.