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"Nearly a third of all deaths in care homes involved coronavirus and we need to do all we can to keep drastically reducing this. The Government’s announcement today of regular testing of care home residents and staff will help with preventing the spread of infection, but we must remain vigilant."

The latest ONS figures showing social care workers are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than healthcare workers.

“Coronavirus will be with us for many months and years ahead and councils want to play their full part in helping to design a test and trace strategy for the medium and long-term which keeps our communities safe."

"This report highlights the work that still needs to be done to ensure BAME communities are not disproportionately impacted by coronavirus."

“It is vital that the expertise of local public health teams is used to help with the logistics and rollout of the plan, while government needs to urgently publish guidance that supports this announcement to provide clarity for schools, address questions which currently remain unanswered, and takes account of local needs and capacity challenges.”

“During this pandemic, councils’ role as leaders of place has been more important than ever before.”

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responds to details about COVID-19 alert levels announced by the Prime Minister.

"Councils want all children to return to school but it is imperative that pupils return to school only when it is safe for them to do so and schools are best placed to make those decisions based on their own individual circumstances."

"Planning powers must also remain at a local level, to enable councils to deliver resilient, prosperous places that meet the needs of their communities."

“It is right that courses should target employers but they also must respond to the needs of different local areas, with a strong role for councils, combined authorities as well as colleges."