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"The Government needs to restore funding to councils for local welfare assistance schemes so they can provide the local safety net to help those struggling to cope with welfare reforms, including the roll out of Universal Credit."

“Councils want to work with government on developing a better system for accommodating and supporting asylum seekers."

“The greatest impact for our communities can be achieved through locally-led targeted interventions and local facilities – museums, libraries, leisure centres and parks – which have a major role to play in helping their communities become creative and physically active."

“Through programmes like One Public Estate, councils have shown that they are best-placed to lead efforts to make better use of public assets, such as releasing unused or surplus land for housing, and are committed to bringing forward sites to ensure that enough homes and the necessary infrastructure are built to meet local needs."

“Homelessness is a tragedy, as a settled home is crucial to health and wellbeing for individuals and families, and is a central cornerstone of successful communities."

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake, responds to a report by the National Audit Office on the need to review the education of children with special educational needs.

“Councils stand ready to work with government to ensure no child is left behind as we recover from the pandemic and have called for a cross-Whitehall strategy to improve children’s lives and put children at the centre of our COVID-19 recovery."

“We all want to see people working in all care settings receive the support, training and resources they need, which is also a real opportunity to tackle persistent issues which have faced the sector, including the recruitment and retention of staff.”

"Councils are determined to protect children in their communities, but with essential children’s services expected to experience a £2 billion funding gap by 2020, they face real challenges."

“As we look towards our recovery and the prospect of a return to a more normal way of life, we must not forget the memory of those who are no longer with us."