Briefings and responses

Key messages  

The LGA are supportive of a revision to current funding in order to simplify and take into account current housing pressures, but have some concerns about the proposals suggested as they are not necessarily reflective of current strains on homelessness services and will have an extremely adverse effect on London in particular.

Local government has been raising concerns about the impact of unregulated growth in this sector for some time. It is a national issue, with the impacts of short-term letting found across the country. We have drafted this response alongside our response to the DCMS consultation on introducing a registration scheme.

We note that there are several instances where changes to the Code are being considered in order to bring it into line with international standards, but that the proposal is that the specific changes will not be made because they are not relevant to local authorities. We strongly support this approach. It is our view that international standards should be applied when necessary but will only add complexity if applied when not relevant.

This response summarises the LGA's general views on the overall objectives of the proposals, as well as commenting on specific proposals where relevant to our membership.

Councils are approving 9 in 10 planning application and in almost 70 per cent of planning appeal cases the Planning Inspectorate uphold councils’ decisions.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) data sharing exercise has been supported by local authorities for several decades now. It has an important place in counter fraud activities, as well as work to recover and reduce error and debt.

We welcome the publication of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) policy statement, setting out final rules for their implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II).

The LGA welcomes the Government’s ambitious commitment to create three million new apprenticeships by 2020. However we have significant concerns about the proposed policy approach to achieve it.

Councils have demonstrated throughout the pandemic that they are uniquely placed to respond to local needs and reach their most vulnerable residents.