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Responding to the publication of the Government’s white paper on adult social care reform, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This much-anticipated white paper sets out a positive vision for the future of adult social care and it is right that it has been co-produced with and alongside people who draw on care and support. It is also encouraging to see the Care Act is the foundation upon which these reforms will be built, particularly the emphasis on housing, greater recognition of the workforce and skills, and prevention

"Extra funding towards this target is helpful but more is needed if we are to truly scale up across the whole of local government."

“Vaccination is ultimately our route out of this pandemic and the COVID-19 booster and flu jab programmes are mission critical to keeping our population safe and healthy this winter"

This insightful report on what social care directors are facing on the ground and what actions they want to see makes essential reading for government.

"As these figures show, more needs to be done to meet increasing demand and a huge amount of unmet need, with more than half a million adults estimated to have alcohol dependency, while a high proportion of those receiving treatment are living in the most deprived areas."

"Childhood obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges we face, made all the more difficult by the impact of the pandemic on children’s activities and lifestyles."

"This vaccine rollout extension will help bear down on transmission and case rates, which are still worryingly high in parts of the country, despite recent trends."

“Councils have proved how critical they are in providing services during COVID-19, working closely with schools and other partners to provide support to children and young people, but have had to divert all their early intervention spending into more acute services due to overstretched budgets."

“It is essential that councils have the capacity, workforce and funding to stand up locally-driven testing and contact tracing as soon as possible, to be able to respond swiftly to any future outbreaks or public health emergency.”

“Coronavirus will be with us for many months and years ahead and councils want to play their full part in helping to design a test and trace strategy for the medium and long-term which keeps our communities safe."