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“Councils have a track record of doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place, having created more than 800,000 new places since 2010."

"These measures will help councils with their cash-flow as they grapple with extra costs, lost income, and demand pressures as a result of the pandemic."

Councils across the country are leading local efforts to support communities through the coronavirus crisis and keep day-to-day services running. This has led to significant unforeseen demands and costs caused by the pandemic – to protect the vulnerable such as older, disabled and homeless people - and in order to continue to keep normal services running, such as bin collections. This is at the same time as councils have seen a large and immediate hit to their income. Many councils use income from fees and charges to fund a range of services, such as leisure and planning services, many of

LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson said: “Councils across the country are leading efforts to support communities through the unprecedented coronavirus crisis we face. They continue to do an amazing job."

"Data on all deaths from COVID-19 needs to be published promptly and accurately, so we can have full confidence and transparency in these figures as part of our plan to defeat this deadly virus."

“Now more than ever, people working in social care are playing a vital and valuable role in society and this campaign is another important boost to this in-demand profession. "

“Many council-owned libraries have experienced an increase of more than 600 per cent in new registered members since the Government’s mandated lockdown."

“Any national plans by government to track and trace coronavirus needs to be complemented by making use of existing local knowledge and skills on the ground."

The Government’s “Clipper” system intends to provide a central hub for the supply and distribution of PPE. However, it is yet to be fully up and running following a delay in going live and could take at least another three weeks before it gets up to speed.  Social care workers and other council service staff continue to risk their lives in keeping essential services going, including supporting our elderly and most vulnerable people, due to a chronic lack of masks, gowns, visors, goggles and other life-saving kit. The LGA suggests that councils and local areas could each need access to

“Councils are extremely concerned about the financial viability of early years providers, many of whom are operating at a loss in order to provide vital childcare for our critical workers and most vulnerable children."