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“Councils have been working hard to maintain and expand access to sexual and reproductive health services, both during and prior to the pandemic, despite severe funding pressures."

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responds to the Prime Minister’s announcement that councils will be given tougher powers to tackle businesses flouting COVID-19 rules.

“Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face and this report is another stark reminder of the urgent need for radical action to combat this."

"Suicide prevention is a public health priority for local government and every council has a suicide prevention plan in place. Councils are already working closely with schools, railway operators, businesses, hospitals and the police to prevent suicide and help those affected by it."

The LGA has long-called for the ban on pavement parking to be extended to all areas of England, with councils able to make exemptions, so we are pleased government has launched this consultation.

“The Government needs to use the forthcoming Spending Review to properly resource all early years settings to ensure that we can make a significant difference to the attainment gap.”

“Good quality early education can make an enormous difference to children’s lives, with around 40 per cent of the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers emerging by age 5."

"This should, for now, reassure worried tenants and allay the serious concerns councils have had over the potential risk of homelessness some private renters may have faced."

"The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the incredibly valuable role of social care in its own right and why it is more important than ever before that we find a long-term and sustainable funding solution, so that people of all ages can live the life they want to lead."

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, responds to Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock’s speech today that Public Health England is to be replaced with the National Institute for Health Protection.