‘Make household support permanent’
The Government should make the Household Support Fund permanent and more flexible so councils can help residents in the greatest need, the LGA has said.
finance
Local audit ‘in crisis’
Local auditors gave opinions on only 12 per cent of local government bodies’ 2021/22 financial statements by the statutory deadline, according to a report from the National Audit Office.
Funding to rise but ‘challenges remain’
Government proposals to increase local government core spending power by 9.2 per cent in 2023/24 will help councils manage inflationary and other cost pressures, the LGA has said.
£650m support for refugees
A new support package for refugees, announced in December, includes increased ‘thank you’ payments for longer-term hosts of Ukrainian arrivals and a £500 million fund for councils to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict.
Local growth plans approved
Vital investment plans to boost business, support communities and regenerate high streets have been approved by the Government, following an LGA warning that projects were at risk because of continual delays.
A positive finance settlement
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all first readers a belated happy new year, and I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful festive break.
The right powers to the right places
Everyone in local government knows people are hungry for more power over their own lives and more control over the places they live.
Long-term funding kicked into the grass
Days before Christmas, the Government published its provisional local government finance settlement, setting out the details about local government spending in the coming financial year.
Autumn Statement: ‘better than feared’
More money for social care and schools, a 7 per cent cap on social housing rent rises, and new devolution deals in Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and the North East were among the announcements in last month’s Autumn Statement.