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"It is vital that even more of this vital protective equipment is available to those who need it, including our valuable social care staff and others providing essential local services."

“We want to work with the Government to ensure that schools are given the support they need over the immediate term, and this includes urgently placing a temporary pause on academy conversions during this time.

"These figures begin to shine a light on the impact of coronavirus in care settings and on older and disabled people who use social care services."

"It is vital that the arrangements set out in the plan are urgently translated to reality on the ground."

Following the unprecedented Agreement reached on 26 March between the Fire Service National Employers, National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Brigades Union, it has today been agreed to add a further three areas of work to reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required. Firefighters will be able to: Assist in taking samples for COVID-19 antigen testing Drive ambulance transport not on blue-lights (excluding known COVID-19 patients) to outpatient appointments or to receive urgent care Provide driving Instruction by FRS driver trainers to deliver training

"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. "