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"This report is a stark reminder of the realities facing children across the country: widening health inequalities, stalling vaccination rates and rising mental ill-health among them.

“These findings show that ambition and commitment to reducing inequality must be accompanied by proper and consistent investment if we are to close the disadvantage gap.

“It is a great shame that whilst we face a housing crisis, there are hundreds of thousands of historic buildings lying empty or under-used. This presents a real opportunity to tackle the chronic shortage of housing in this country.

LGA statement: Ann Widdecombe death

"Council leisure services and falls prevention programmes are already helping older people stay steady on their feet, and this will only grow in importance as more people use weight loss drugs and need to protect their muscle strength alongside."

"There is no legitimate reason for nicotine products to come in neon packaging, feature cartoon images, or use flavours and branding designed to catch a child's eye.

“Councils’ role as convenors of people and communities can help maximise input into the Casey Commission’s Big Conversation.

New analysis from the Local Government Association has found that council expenditure on temporary accommodation increased by a massive 1077 per cent in real terms between 2011/12 and 2024/25.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, the new Chair of the LGA, has called on the next Prime Minister to deliver ‘real devolution’, with power focused as near as possible to the communities it affects.

LGA Chair Cllr O'Brien's address to the LGA Annual Conference on 7 July 2026.