News

"Councils are committed to ensuring that those that need help with alcohol misuse get the right support and treatment."

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to an annual report published today by the Office for National Statistics on preventable deaths in the UK in 2016.

"The harm loneliness can cause, both physically and mentally, can be devastating to people of all ages - it is a serious public health concern which studies suggest can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day."

The latest ONS figures showing social care workers are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than healthcare workers.

"These figures act as a truly tragic reminder of how many people, including those who are older and vulnerable, have lost their lives during the pandemic, leaving behind family and friends in mourning."

"Nearly a third of all deaths in care homes involved coronavirus and we need to do all we can to keep drastically reducing this. The Government’s announcement today of regular testing of care home residents and staff will help with preventing the spread of infection, but we must remain vigilant."

“Protecting our most clinically vulnerable people has been councils’ number one priority throughout the pandemic."

“Now, more than ever, we need a concerted approach to tackling the issue of alcohol-related harms. Trends have worsened, and a proactive effort is needed to turn the tide."

“Any future reforms of adult social care must apply the lessons learned from coronavirus, as well as address the issues of fairness in how we pay for these vital services. These include people who fund their own care."

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines aimed at improving the wellbeing of unpaid adult carers.