‘Raise minimum smoking age’, says review
The minimum age for buying cigarettes should be raised by one year annually until no-one is able to take up smoking in England, an independent review into smoking has recommended.
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Two-year funding settlement pledge
A plethora of former and current government ministers attended the LGA’s annual conference in late June.
Right to buy extended to housing associations
Around 2.5 million housing association tenants in England are to be given the right to buy their homes at a discounted price, with government pledging to build a new social home for every one sold.
Culture ‘vital’ to councils
‘Culture is not just a ‘bit of fun’ but a fundamental pillar of levelling up and vital to everything from improving physical and mental health to raising educational attainment.
Local taxpayers ‘subsidising’ festivals
Local taxpayers are heavily subsidising some commercial events because of outdated licensing fees, the LGA has said.
Local visions for growth
Trust is the missing ingredient in the Government’s plans for levelling up, according to Labour’s Lisa Nandy.
Fines for failing social housing landlords
Ofsted-style inspections and unlimited fines for failing social housing landlords look set to be introduced in England under the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, currently before Parliament.
New ministerial team at DLUHC
The LGA has welcomed the appointment of new Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Greg Clark, following the sacking of his predecessor Michael Gove by outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Care users ‘struggling to recruit personal assistants’
People who draw on care and support are finding it increasingly hard to recruit and retain personal assistants (PAs), a recent survey has found.
Cost of social care for children up a quarter
Latest figures show that spending to protect vulnerable children at risk of harm has increased by almost a quarter in five years, because of soaring demand for support.