The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.
Communities could have missed out on nearly 30,000 affordable homes in the past five years if proposed government planning reforms were in place, new analysis by the LGA reveals today.
“We need a new national focus on helping everyone stay mentally well, including those affected by COVID-19, backed-up by funding for councils to spend with the voluntary and community sector on meeting local mental wellbeing needs."
"It is vital that councils are able to decide how the hundreds of millions of pounds raised from the levy is invested, to ensure that our children get the greatest start in life."
"Councils have played a crucial role during the current crisis and have demonstrated the strength that comes from local leaders able to work with others and their communities."
Councils in England have seen their core funding from central government reduce by £15 billion in the last decade. In recent years, they have seen a rise in the number of short-term, ringfenced, small grants they receive annually from government departments and agencies.
“The economic impacts of the pandemic are likely to be long-lasting and far-reaching. Many households could be economically vulnerable for some time to come and many are now relying on the benefits system to help them make ends meet."
“It would take almost £10 billion for councils to bring our local roads up to scratch. It is vital that the Spending Review provides the funding councils need to tackle the growing backlog of repairs which councils face.”
“To help deliver this again in the second wave, councils need the necessary funding, data, information and personnel on the ground to inform and support their communities, alongside effective testing and contact tracing."
The LGA said councils are bracing themselves for a rise in referrals for support that would have normally been made when children were being seen regularly by social workers and health workers.
Some children and families will need significant interventions, including child protection plans or even coming into the care system. But for many, they will just need some extra help to get through a difficult period. That could be low level mental health support, sessions with a youth worker, understanding how to support children showing difficult behaviours, or working through parental conflict.
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