Briefings and responses

Councils continue to work hard to support and deliver the many programmes for refugees and asylum seekers currently in operation. Councils want to work with central government to find sustainable solutions that minimise the pressures on local authorities, their communities and vulnerable individuals.

Despite the new money, councils still face an overall funding gap of almost £8 billion by 2025 just to maintain services at current levels. It is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain the current level of support for the Armed Forces Community.

All councils have signed the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant and are fully committed to honouring their obligations to those who have served their country.

Armed Forces serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families are valued members of our communities. All councils have signed the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant and are fully committed to honouring their obligations to those who have served their country.

The primary purpose of this Bill is to renew the Armed Forces Act (AFA) 2006 and, in so doing, continue in force the primary legislation governing the armed forces.

All councils have voluntarily signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The further enshrinement of the Covenant into law is an opportunity to build upon work councils are already leading to help serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families to have the same equality of access to public services as their civilian neighbours.

Councils have a proud history of welcoming new arrivals, stepping forward at times of crisis to offer homes and support so families and individuals can build new lives in the UK.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill includes a range of provisions to improve the welfare of kept animals, including farm animals, companion animals, and kept wild animals. We support the objective of increasing animal welfare standards and eradicating cruel practices both domestically and internationally.

The Bill does not consider how this rural growth component fits into the proposed land management system, or how it will link to the forthcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This funding is too important to rural areas to fall through the gaps of the new system. We would recommend the Government clarify, through this legislation and guidance, how new growth funding arrangements will be incorporated into post-EU funding.

Councils support humanitarian efforts to protect and support refugees and have delivered a wide range of support across different government schemes over many years.