This monthly publication keeps you informed of key issues and developments in research impacting on, or of interest to, local government.
March 2024 Analysis and Research Bulletin
Welcome to the Local Government Association (LGA) Analysis and Research Bulletin.
This comprehensive monthly publication keeps you informed about key issues and developments in research impacting on local government.
The bulletin brings together the work of the LGA and also features relevant publications from the wider research community. The information in this bulletin is grouped under themed areas. This publication is produced by LGA Research and Information and we provide high-quality analysis and research across all aspects of local government.
A new archive providing back-dated copies of this bulletin is now available.
Education and young people
Children in families in England and Wales: Census 2021
This ONS data provides information on the characteristics of; dependent children, step-families, multi-generational households and households broken down by the number of dependent children in England and Wales in 2021.
Outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities in England: reporting year 2022
These Department for Education (DfE) statistics provide a range of outcome measures at national and local authority level for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities for the 2022 reporting year.
Childcare survey 2024 - England
This report from Coram provides the results of the 23rd annual childcare survey. It provides information on the prices of childcare, the availability of childcare, pressures on providers, additional charges by providers and readiness for the expansion of funded entitlements in England.
School capacity in England: academic year 2022 to 2023
These DfE school capacity statistics provide information on school places, unfilled school places, pupils over capacity, pupil number forecasts and place planning in England for the academic year 2022 to 2023.
Pupil attendance in schools: 11 September 2023 to 8 March 2024 - England
This DfE pupil attendance data provides information on the levels of attendance and overall, authorised and unauthorised absence in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools in England between 11 September 2023 and 8 March 2024.
Pupil absence in schools in England: academic year 2022 to 2023
This DfE release provides information on pupil absence in primary and secondary schools in the 2022 to 2023 academic year in England.
Early years evidence store – Supporting personal, social and emotional development (PSED) in the early years
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) early years evidence store draws on research evidence and educators’ practice to illustrate high-quality, evidence-informed teaching approaches. The resource presents what the research evidence suggests about supporting PSED in the early years.
Vocational and other qualifications quarterly: July to September 2023 - England
These Ofqual statistics provide information on vocational and other qualifications (excluding GCSEs, AS levels and A levels) between July and September 2023 in England.
Young people age 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England: 2023
These DfE statistics provide estimates from the Labour Force Survey of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England in 2023.
Key messages from research on child sexual abuse in institutional contexts
The Crime Survey for England and Wales 2019 found that for one in 10 adults who had been sexually abused in childhood, the abuse had been carried out by a person in a position of trust or authority. The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) have summarised the most up-to-date research on abuse in institutions into a short into a short paper.
Transport
Passenger rail performance: October to December 2023 – Great Britain<
These Office of Rail and Road (ORR) quarterly and periodic (4-weekly) rail performance statistics provide information on punctuality, reliability and causes of delay for passenger trains operating on the mainline network in Great Britain between October and December 2023.
Passenger rail usage: October to December 2023 – Great Britain
These ORR quarterly statistics report the volume of passenger journeys, kilometres and revenue on the mainline network in Great Britain between October and December 2023.
Quarterly bus fares statistics: October to December 2023 – Great Britain
These Department for Transport (DfT) statistics provide information on local bus fares in Great Britain for October to December 2023.
Road lengths in Great Britain: April 2023
These DfT statistics provide road length estimates for Great Britain as of April 2023.
Environment
Net zero - strategy and support
This LGA net zero strategy and support report provides details on officers’ views of how central government is assisting council’s climate change policy and the delivery of net zero locally.
Climate action: international learnings on the governance of national and local government collaboration
Councils in England are taking innovative steps to tackle climate change, including declaring climate emergencies, developing action plans and rolling out demonstrator projects. This LGA report explores the governance arrangements in five case study countries, to understand how they structure and govern their response to climate change. The report draws out key insights and recommendations for England.
Update to fly-tipping statistics in England, 2022 to 2023
This Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) publication provides an update to the publication of fly-tipping statistics in England.
UK greenhouse gas emissions: 2023 provisional figures
These statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provide provisional estimates of UK greenhouse gas emissions based on provisional inland energy consumption statistics, which are published in the quarterly energy trends statistical publication.
Energy trends: October to December 2023 - UK
These energy trend statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provide information on energy production, consumption and trade of total energy, coal, oil, gas, electricity and renewables during the fourth calendar quarter of 2023 in the UK.
Statistical digest of rural England
The statistical digest from Defra is a compendium of socio-economic statistics for Rural areas. The compendium is structured into eight thematic reports. The latest findings are below:
Energy statistics for rural England.
Health and wellbeing statistics for rural England
Economics statistics for rural England
Local government
Local government budget setting for 2024/25
The Local government budget setting report explores the challenges that councils have faced in trying to set a balanced budget for upcoming financial year, including the services most likely to be impacted by cost savings and the anticipated consequences of these cost savings. The report combines the findings of two surveys of council chief executives, conducted before and after the announcement at the end of January of an additional £600m in funding for councils.
Research into councils with experience of finance and governance challenges
In September 2022, the LGA commissioned Human Engine to conduct a desktop study on five councils with experience of finance and governance challenges which led to either a S114 report or a capitalisation direction with a governance review at the time the research was commissioned. A series of roundtables were held to reflect on the findings of the research and the recommendations. LGA have published a summary of learning which sets out the findings from the research and roundtables.
Trust in Government, UK: 2023
These ONS statistics provide information on trust in government and institutions, opinions and experiences of public services, and attitudes towards political issues in the UK in 2023
The state of local government finance in England 2024
This report is the 11th annual state of local government finance survey in England, from the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU). This report, for the first time, demonstrates how challenging the current fiscal climate for councils is.
Metrics added to LG Inform this month include:
Statutory homelessness
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) have added new metrics to the Statutory homelessness collection, and these have been added to LG Inform. They include:
- Reason for loss of last settled home for households owed a relief duty - End of assured shorthold (AST) private rented tenancy, due to landlord wishing to sell the property which was 1,310 for England in Quarter 2 2023/24, down from 1,340 in Quarter 1.
- Reason for loss of last settled home for households owed a relief duty - Domestic abuse - of which: Victim which was 6,580 for England in Quarter 2 2023/24, up from 6,050 in Quarter 1.
- Support needs of households owed a prevention or relief duty - Number of support needs - of which households with: Difficulties budgeting which was 3,720 for England in Quarter 2 2023/24, up from 3,600 in Quarter 1.
- Accommodation at time of application of households owed a relief duty - No fixed abode - of which: Slept rough in the last year which was 1,290 for England in Quarter 2 2023/24, down from 1,340 in Quarter 1.
Available Geographies: Country – Region – County – London borough – Metropolitan District – Unitary – District
Employment, pay and workforce
Time use in the public sector, Great Britain: February 2024
These ONS statistics provide estimates of daily time spent by public sector workers on a range of activities during February 2024 in Great Britain.
Public sector employment, UK: December 2023
These ONS quarterly public sector employment statistics provide estimates on a headcount and full-time equivalent basis by sector, industry and region in the UK during December 2023.
Labour market in the regions of the UK: March 2024
These ONS regional labour market statistics provide regional, local authority and Parliamentary constituency breakdowns of changes in UK employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and other related information.
UK labour market: March 2024
These ONS UK labour market statistics provide estimates of employment, unemployment, inactivity, average weekly earnings, vacancies and other labour market related statistics for the UK.
Experimental estimates of green jobs, UK - 2022
These ONS statistics provide an estimate of green jobs in the UK in 2022.
The healthcare workforce across the UK
These ONS statistics provide a summary of the cross-UK comparability of official direct NHS employment statistics and other relevant data sources, including non-official data, on specific healthcare professionals across the UK.
UK overseas trade in goods statistics: January 2024
This HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publication provides details of the overseas trade in goods statistics (OTS) of the UK for January 2024.
Annual qualifications market report: academic year 2022 to 2023 - England
This Ofqual publication provides an overview of the qualifications market in England and a single reference point about participants in the market for the academic year 2022 to 2023.
2023 NHS national staff survey
The NHS England, NHS staff survey offers a snapshot in time of how people experience their working lives, gathered at same time each year. It captures a national picture alongside local detail, enabling NHS England to explore staff experience across different parts of the NHS.
Teacher labour market in England annual report 2024
This National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) teacher labour market report monitors the progress the education system in England is making towards meeting the teacher supply challenge by measuring the key indicators of teacher supply and working conditions.
Economy
UK trade in goods, year in review: 2023
This ONS publication provides an analysis of UK trade in goods in 2023.
Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators: 17 March 2024
These ONS early experimental data provide information on the UK economy and society up to 17 March 2024. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.
Consumer trends, UK: October to December 2023
These ONS statistics provide information on household final consumption expenditure (HHFCE) for the UK, as a measure of growth between October and December 2023 and include all spending on goods and services by members of UK households.
Retail sales, Great Britain: February 2024
These ONS statistics provide a first estimate of retail sales in volume and value terms, seasonally and non-seasonally adjusted in Great Britain for February 2024.
Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 28 March 2024
These ONS data provide information on the impact of challenges facing the economy and other events on UK businesses. Based on responses from the voluntary fortnightly business survey (BICS).
Housing
Housing affordability in England and Wales: 2023
This ONS data on house prices and annual earnings, uses house price statistics for small area (HSPPA) data to calculate affordability ratios for national and subnational geographies in England and Wales on an annual basis.
Statutory homelessness in England: July to September 2023
These DLUHC statistics provide information on statutory homelessness applications, duties, and outcomes for local authorities in England between July and September 2023.
Social housing lettings in England: April 2022 to March 2023
These DLUHC statistics provide information on new social housing lettings in England in 2022/23 by local authorities and private registered providers, covering tenancies and tenants.
Crime
Criminal court statistics quarterly: October to December 2023 - England
These Ministry of Justice (MoJ) statistics provide information on the type and volume of cases received and processed through the criminal court system of England and Wales between October and December 2023, including statistics on case timeliness.
Civil justice statistics: October to December 2023 – England and Wales
These MoJ civil justice statistics provide information on the volume of civil and judicial review cases dealt with by the courts over time in England and Wales and the overall timeliness of these cases.
Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, financial year ending 2023
These Home Office figures provide information for the seizures of drugs made by local police forces and the UK Border Force in England and Wales for the financial year ending 2023.
Regular publications and events
LG Inform and LG Inform Plus webinar programme 2024
The LG Inform and LG Inform Plus programme of free webinars for spring 2024 are available.
To book a place and discover more about the data, report writing and the various modules on offer visit the online training page for more details and how to book. If you would like something more tailored to your needs, contact [email protected]
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) launch of the second annual call for Advanced Local Authority Fellowship (ALAF) application
The ALAF Scheme supports doctorate holders employed within local authority settings to develop careers that combine research and research training with continued professional practice and development.
Social Research Association (SRA) training courses
The SRA are currently offering a range of online training courses using Zoom.
SRA - Social Research Practice journal
The latest issue of the SRA's free e-journal is now available.
The Rees Centre newsletter
The Rees Centre newsletter is published every two months giving an update on their fostering related research activities and events along with a book review and a section on young voices.
Changing Populations newsletter
The latest newsletter from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Centre for Population Change is now available.
Child Welfare Inequalities Project (CWIP) news
The CWIP at Coventry University studies the links between deprivation and children’s chances of being unable to live safely within their birth families and also aims to establish child welfare inequalities as a core concept in policy making, practice and research. Information about current CWIP projects is available on the website.
NIHR School for Public Health Research
Sign-up to receive the latest news and updates from the NIHR School for Public Research including publications, funding opportunities, upcoming events and more. Sign-up here. Read the latest newsletter here.
NIHR Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST) newsletter
The NIHR PHIRST newsletter includes information on seminars, evaluations and publications. Visit the website to sign-up for the newsletter.
Centre for Evaluation newsletter
The Centre for Evaluation develops interventions, systems and strategies to improve public health using rigorous evaluation methods. Visit the website to sign up for the Centre for Evaluation newsletter.
What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth newsletter
This regular newsletter from the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth provides the latest resources and evidence. Visit the website to sign up for the newsletter.
The Centre for Youth Impact newsletter
The Centre for Youth Impact is a community of organisations that work together to progress thinking and practice around impact measurement in youth work and services for young people. The latest Centre for Youth Impact newsletter is now available.
Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Newsletter
The CSA newsletter brings together the most up-to-date research into an accessible overview for frontline professionals and commissioners. Visit the website to sign up for the CSA newsletter.
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) Direct
This regular NFER newsletter provides research, industry insights and free resources and events. Sign up for the newsletter here.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Centre for Evaluation
The Centre for Evaluation aims to improve the design and conduct of evaluations of complex public health interventions through the development, application and dissemination of rigorous methods, and facilitate the use of robust evidence to inform policy and practice decisions. The Centre produce a termly newsletter.
Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) newsletter
WCPP works to address key economic and societal challenges through the use of evidence and produce a regular newsletter.
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) news alert
EEF news alerts provide information about teaching and learning toolkits, project evaluation reports, grant funding rounds and news and events.
NESTA
NESTA is an innovation foundation which aims to tackle society’s big challenges. They produce a regular newsletter.
Research and Economic Analysis for the Long Term (REAL) Centre
The Health Foundation’s REAL Centre was set up to support long-term decision making in health and social care. Visit the website to sign up for regular updates.
Policy Bristol Newsletter
The Policy Bristol Newsletter provides regular policy updates and the latest policy research and events news.
ActEarly monthly bulletin
The AntennAE monthly e-bulletin provides the latest news and developments from Act Early.
The Health Foundation newsletter
This monthly newsletter from The Health Foundation provides details about funding opportunities, latest publications and blogs, and the latest news from the world of UK health care.
The Learning and Work Institute newsletter
This monthly newsletter from the Learning and Work Institute provides news updates, latest publications and blogs.
The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook
This quarterly publication from The Resolution Foundation covers housing issues including quality and affordability.