The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.
Tougher powers are needed for councils to oversee and regulate out-of-school settings (OOSS) – including being able to shut down illegal schools – after an independent report commissioned by the Government uncovered major safeguarding concerns.
The Department for Education funded a pilot in 16 council areas over an 18-month period into the oversight of OOSS, examining safeguarding risks and existing legal powers available to councils.
OOSS is a wide range of provision including uniformed organisations, sports and leisure clubs, supplementary schools, faith-based organisations and arts clubs
“A sustainable NHS depends on a sustainable social care system. Instead, the social care system is suffering from long-term underfunding and high vacancy levels across the workforce.”
Everybody should have the chance to work or retrain, to help increase their aspirations and skills to realise their potential. The labour market has changed significantly in recent years and continues to adapt, so people need joined up local support.
“The increase in local government core spending power next year, confirmed in today’s provisional settlement, will help councils deal with inflationary and other cost pressures they face.
“The Government must now ensure that funding is made available to respond to the significant resource and capacity requirements needed to successfully implement Martyn’s Law.”
“The LGA has been raising concerns with government on the growing number of Ukrainians presenting as homeless to councils, and in particular the significant rise in those who arrived through the Homes for Ukraine scheme as their six month period with hosts ends", says Chairman of the Local Government Association, Cllr James Jamieson.
It is positive that this report recognises significant improvements from councils in providing children’s services, despite the many challenges they face in the education, said Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board.
“As the cost of living has increased, we are concerned there will be more people this winter who may not be able to switch their heating on, putting them at greater risk from illness relating to the cold."