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“Councils are extremely concerned about the financial viability of early years providers, many of whom are operating at a loss in order to provide vital childcare for our critical workers and most vulnerable children."

"These new statistics, revealing that we are still not reaching the WHO 95 per cent targets for vaccination coverage, are particularly concerning and also show considerable regional disparities."

Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, responded to the amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill.

“To respond to what children and young people have told us, we need funding to reinvest in vital universal and early help services, including mental health and wellbeing services for children and young people, and properly resourced holistic family support for families experiencing financial hardship."

“Every child should have a fair chance of getting into their parents’ preferred school and councils and schools work extremely hard to try and ensure that as many pupils as possible are allocated their first preference.”

“Councils have a track record of doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place, having created more than 800,000 new places since 2010."

“Councils have been working closely with schools throughout the coronavirus pandemic to ensure they remain open for vulnerable children and families, and where needed, councils have delivered vital IT equipment for children."

"Councils share the Commissioner’s concerns about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on vulnerable teenagers."

“Early intervention services such as children’s centres and family support services play a crucial role in supporting children and helping to prevent problems becoming more serious later on."

"We need to develop a system that says yes to all children and young people, rather than no, when they ask for help. Children and their families need help and support right now - depression, anxiety, bereavement, and family crises do not wait."