I am sure many of us will be glad to see the back of yet another year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. From the awful loss of loved ones, friends and colleagues to widening health inequalities, economic turmoil and worsening mental health, COVID-19 has impacted every part of our lives.
I hope that all first readers were able to take some time off over the Christmas period, and I would like to wish you a happy new year and all the best for 2022.
Fully vaccinated critical workers – including in local government – will be able to leave Covid-related self-isolation to go to work in exceptional circumstances, under new plans to prevent serious disruption to vital public services.
The LGA has called for an “honest debate” about the impact of long Covid, not just on the NHS, but also on demand for social care, at its recent annual conference.
The Government has renewed its commitment to levelling up as part of the recovery from the pandemic, with new announcements focusing on better access to high-quality education, improved infrastructure in town centres, and more public sector jobs outside of London.
As first was going to press, the Government was still planning to end the remaining legal limits on social contact in England from 21 June but had warned no decision would be made until the week before, given concerns over new variants.
Councils are considering different ways of working in light of the pandemic.
The LGA is supporting a legal challenge to a decision not to extend emergency legislation on virtual council meetings, calling it “extremely disappointing”.
The past year has been like no other. The COVID-19 virus has taken a huge toll on our communities, with each death a terrible loss.
