Council investments ‘pose risk’
Some councils have exposed themselves to commercial investments that risk cuts in local services and a big bill for local taxpayers, according to the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee.
In the latest issue:
‘No care workers on health visa’
Social care workers will not be able to use the new health and care visa to enter the UK via the Government’s points-based immigration system, which is to be introduced next year.
EU money ‘going unspent’
More than £730 million in vital EU cash – which could help local communities bounce back from COVID-19 – risks going unspent and being sent back to Brussels if the funding is not allocated by the Government before the end of the year, the LGA has warned.
Leisure facilities ‘could disappear’
With the Government’s obesity strategy expected as first went to press, the LGA has warned that significant losses of income have left many leisure centres on the brink of financial collapse.
‘Councils should be more diverse’
Under-representation of ethnic minority communities is “perpetuating racial inequality and disadvantage” in the UK, according to a report by University of Manchester academics.
Time for fiscal devolution?
Local government across the western world has been able to react to the COVID-19 crisis with greater powers and autonomy than councils in the UK, according to a new report from the think-tank Localis, commissioned by the LGA.
PPE supply warning amid second wave concerns
Urgent clarity over the governance and distribution of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, MPs have found.
Devolving skills support
Local politicians and parliamentarians met to discuss the vital role of councils and combined authorities in helping people into work.
Spotlight on our councils
Learning from the coronavirus crisis and supporting a sustainable recovery were among the themes discussed at the LGA’s virtual Innovation Zone.
Getting finances on track
The Government’s funding package for councils offers some positive measures and recognises the pressures they are facing, but more is needed.