News

Councils are preparing for a period of plummeting temperatures, with 1.4 million tonnes of salt stockpiled across the country ready to treat icy roads and pavements.

Young people today are half as likely to own a home as they were 20 years ago, while existing home-owners face being unable to move, according to a new report by the Local Government Association.

The LGA warns that text and call-based scams are on the rise and urges everyone to remind themselves of tell-tale signs that you may have been contacted by a scammer.

More than 1,000 youth and community support workers could be recruited using money removed from a flagship government fund for youth services, according to new analysis by the Local Government Association.

“Shutting the discretionary scheme would be a mistake by the Government at this time. Councils need more time and flexibility to ensure as many businesses can benefit from this funding."

Increasing numbers of families are turning to councils for temporary accommodation as homelessness reaches record highs, the Local Government Association warns.  Analysis from the LGA, which represent councils across England, reveals that the number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen by 89 per cent over the past decade to 104,000 households at the end of March 2023 – the highest figures since records began in 1998 – costing councils at least £1.74 billion in 2022/23.  The severe shortage of social housing means councils are being forced to pay to house people in private

The LGA has used its submission to set out the need for the Chancellor to use the CSR to provide an additional £10.1 billion per year in core funding to councils in England by 2023/24.

Local areas in England are at risk of losing out on £5.3 billion in just 18 months if the Government does not act fast and put in place replacement funding arrangements once the UK leaves the EU, council leaders are warning.

Almost £6 billion has been given out in discounts through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme since the size of the discount was increased in 2012, new analysis by the Local Government Association reveals.

“As this report highlights, awarding funding in small pots on a competitive basis has created uncertainty and hindered councils’ ability to plan strategically for their communities.