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.
“With over two thirds of councils spending more than they planned to on tackling homelessness, it is vital the Government follows this with long-term funding for homeless prevention in the Spending Review."
"Urgent clarity is needed on how the Government’s fundamental review of business rates will impact on reforms to allow local government to keep more of business rates income collected locally from next year."
"This funding demonstrates that the Government have heard our calls for greater recognition of the vital role that libraries play in helping businesses to innovate and grow."
"There are two million veterans across the country and councils provide a range of services that help them and their families, including housing, money advice, employment support and health and wellbeing services."
Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responded to the Chancellor's Budget announcement that councils will receive £2 billion extra funding for social care over the next three years.
“The LGA has long called for councils to be given greater freedom to borrow to build new homes and today’s Budget has taken a step towards that by lifting the housing borrowing cap for some councils. This is an important recognition of our argument about the vital role that councils must play to boost homes for local families in need and solve our housing crisis.
“There are other measures in the Budget that will make a difference, especially more funding for Land Assembly, the Housing Infrastructure Fund and for SME builders. These are all measures councils have been making a case for.
“Plan
“We look forward to seeing more details on these proposals, but it’s essential that any new responsibilities on transport that councils take on are fully funded, and that they are given whatever resources they need to put the appropriate infrastructure in place.”