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"The Government should use the upcoming Spending Review as an opportunity to empower councils to place a local digital champion in every local area to help facilitate delivery and support providers to install gigabit-capable broadband as quickly as possible."

“The unequal impact of COVID-19 on people using and working in social care needs to be addressed as part of future reforms, as well as building on the importance of closer working and local approaches."

“Rising coronavirus cases across the country mean that we all now, more than ever, have a responsibility to get ourselves tested when needed and for sharing our contacts on request.

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. H

“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."

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

“The Digital Connectivity programme, which is part of our sector-led improvement offer, is helping all councils to provide vital services for residents who don’t have access or confidence to use digital platforms."

"Equality of access to laptops and the internet for online learning have been an issue for pupils, while the closure of schools will have an impact on all children."

“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.”

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.