Localising employment support
Transforming job centres from the country’s ‘most unloved public service’ into places where people can receive quality career support is a key ambition for me.
Democracy is about more than efficiencies
By-elections were thin on the ground in January, with attention in the local government community focused instead on the structural reforms proposed in the recent English Devolution White Paper, and the consequent postponement of some of this year’s scheduled county council elections.
SEND in state of emergency – MPs
MPs have warned that a ‘lost generation’ of children could leave school without having received the help they need, with the LGA calling for a plan for reform.
LGA: ‘Invest in local digital transformation’
The LGA has reiterated its call for a Local Government Centre for Digital Technology, in response to announcements on digital services and artificial intelligence (AI).
Public health grant increased
The Government has announced an increase in the public health grant for English councils in 2025/26, to £3.858 billion – a cash uplift of 5.4 per cent, or nearly £200 million, and a real-term increase of 3 per cent.
‘Trillion-pound’ cost of children’s mental health
New research has warned the mental health crisis facing children and young people will prevent the Government from boosting economic growth, as well as having an impact on the lives of thousands of young people.