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“We have long argued that stopping terrorism requires a broad and joined-up approach. Investing in a long-term approach, which includes a multi-agency support offer for those at risk, is vital in addressing some of the wider issues that may contribute to individuals becoming radicalised and create tensions in our communities.

“Protecting the most vulnerable from the rising cost of living is a crucial priority which councils share with government and it is positive to see this fund extended for another year."

“Councils are urging the Government to make the Household Support Fund it has provided to councils permanent, alongside greater flexibility so they can ensure it helps people in the greatest need."

“Encouraging the estimated three million ‘hidden unemployed’ back into work or training, as highlighted in this report, will only be achieved if local leaders across our towns and cities are at the forefront of the response."

“Effective external audit and clear and transparent financial reporting are vital. However local audit is in crisis, which is a serious concern for councils.” 

“While it is good the Government will continue to help the public sector as well as businesses keep their energy bills lower and provided some certainty for the next 12 months, we remain deeply concerned about the risk to some council services."

Responding to a Public Accounts Committee report on participation in grassroots sport, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “The future of leisure facilities is under threat and this report highlights the need for an asset strategy that will preserve the future of these key council services. “The public leisure sector has a critical role to play in helping our communities recover from the pandemic, both physically and mentally, retrain and upskill, and tackle issues like obesity, heart disease and diabetes, reducing

"Transport is the biggest source of carbon emissions in the UK and thousands of people are prematurely killed every year from traffic related pollution. As a country, we can’t meet our climate change targets and clean our toxic air without increasing levels of walking and cycling within our local communities."

“Councils are ideally placed to help achieve this, bringing together government, agencies and providers alongside their local leadership and expert knowledge of their areas, as we identified in our Work Local programme."

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, said people should think carefully before travelling to beaches, parks and other public places and to get in the habit of checking they are safe to visit, following our reaching of step 4 of the Government’s roadmap.