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Responding to the final Local Government Finance Settlement announced today, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “We are pleased the Government has acted on our call for desperately-needed new money for councils to meet the rising cost pressures they face this year and published this final settlement quickly so councils can effectively plan how to provide local services. “Extra funding for social care this year, council-tax raising powers and the continuation of key grants confirmed today are good news and will ensure councils can help older and disabled

“Councils are absolutely committed to ensuring drug users get the right treatment and support, as part of their public health and other wider responsibilities."

Responding to the latest ONS figures published today on teenage pregnancies in England and Wales for 2018, which shows that the conception rate for women under 18 has decreased for the eleventh year in a row, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The halving of teenage pregnancy rates over the last two decades is a tribute to the hard work of councils and their partners, in helping to improve the health, wellbeing and life chances of young people. “We need to build upon these achievements and tackle health inequalities in more

“People of all ages should be able to live the lives they want to lead and we are pleased the Government is to begin these cross-party talks, which we have been calling for as part of our work on finding on a long-term, sustainable solution for adult social care."

"It is encouraging that today’s Budget signals a shift towards more spending on local priorities, such as building homes, boosting connectivity and filling potholes."

"Urgent clarity is needed on how the Government’s fundamental review of business rates will impact on reforms to allow local government to keep more of business rates income collected locally from next year."

“With over two thirds of councils spending more than they planned to on tackling homelessness, it is vital the Government follows this with long-term funding for homeless prevention in the Spending Review."

Responding to the announcement of councils’ public health grant for 2020/21, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Council public health teams are working day and night to support national efforts to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. They are doing a fantastic job in extremely challenging and ever-changing circumstances. “Today’s long-awaited publication by government of public health funding from April will help councils plan how to best help communities cope with this virus outbreak and keep providing other vital public

“The further £500 million extra funding to help councils meet extra COVID-19 costs pressures is helpful but, in the context of the funding gap councils still face, substantial additional funding will be needed and we await further details on how this money will be distributed."

"Youth services support young people, helping them to make positive choices and keep them safe as they transition to adulthood. These services are even more essential as a result of the COVID-19 crisis."