News

Responding to an announcement by the Department of Education about an extra £700 million for children with special educational needs, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Children and Young People Board, said: "It is great that the Government has acted on the LGA’s call for a significant funding boost for services that support children with special educational needs next year. "Councils want to ensure every child gets the best education possible and that every parent can choose the sort of education setting they want for their child. "This funding will help councils meet unprecedented

"The LGA is pleased to see the Government has recognised our calls for additional funding to help councils with the provision of accommodation-based domestic abuse support and services."

“Councils want to work with schools and local health teams to do all they can to ensure staff, pupils, parents and visitors can be in school settings, safely and securely, without risk of passing on coronavirus.”

"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."

Responding to the Government’s building safety announcement, Lord Porter, the Local Government Association’s building safety spokesman, said: “Residents have a right to be safe and feel safe in their own homes. This is even more important during the current coronavirus pandemic, as so many people are confined to their homes. “The Government’s announcement that the remediation of cladding remains a top priority is positive news, and industry and duty-holders now need to step up and deliver the work required. Leaseholders, who are facing a triple whammy of mortgage refusals, spiralling

“It is positive to see social rent retained in the definition of affordable housing – as called for by the LGA - although the definition should be clearer in separating social rent from ‘affordable’ rent which is often not accessible for people on lower incomes."

Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s Transport spokesman, responds to the Government’s announcement to change legislation to protect the free bus travel scheme.

"This funding is good news and will help councils and partner organisations further support child victims of domestic abuse, which can have a long-term and devastating impact on families."

"Putting in place the right services and workforce requires forward planning and longer term contracts. Adult social care services still face a £3.5 billion funding gap by 2025, just to maintain existing standards of care."

“Our residents are clear – new homes in their communities have to be affordable, high-quality, and supported by adequate infrastructure and sustainable local services."