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"Amanda Pritchard is a highly respected and experienced senior leader in the NHS and her appointment comes at a crucial time, not only in our recovery from the pandemic, but also during an ambitious transformation agenda being taken forward in the Health and Care Bill."

"Today’s announcement to increase the amount that employers can transfer of their Levy contribution is a positive sign that the Government is listening to council concerns around the need for flexibility to ensure the Levy is genuinely effective."

"The Government must now work with councils and combined authorities to overcome any additional local challenges caused by the delay and make the introduction of the fund a success."

“Councils are uniquely placed to build on community strengths in partnership with Arts Council England, and the greatest impact can be achieved through locally-led culture facilities, including museums, libraries and arts organisations."

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, responds to Arts Council England’s announcement to provide £160 million for the cultural sector.

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

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board responds to Arts Council England’s new Delivery Plan.

Councils are at the heart of efforts to create a new smokefree generation and it is important the Government introduce these measures at the earliest possible opportunity.

“This new strategy, the first of its kind to cover children and young people as well as adults, rightly focuses on supporting autistic people to live their lives in their communities, widening the focus beyond social care and health services.

“The LGA has long called for councils to be given greater freedom to borrow to build new homes and today’s Budget has taken a step towards that by lifting the housing borrowing cap for some councils."