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Responding to the announcement of councils’ public health grant for 2020/21, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Council public health teams are working day and night to support national efforts to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. They are doing a fantastic job in extremely challenging and ever-changing circumstances. “Today’s long-awaited publication by government of public health funding from April will help councils plan how to best help communities cope with this virus outbreak and keep providing other vital public

“Public health, housing and social care teams will continue to work together to identify local solutions for rough sleepers most at risk, but homelessness services remain under huge pressure as a result of rising demand driven by a historic shortage of social housing.”

Responding to the Government pledge to protect renters amid the coronavirus outbreak, Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said: “Councils are leading local efforts to support communities as they try and cope with the coronavirus outbreak. They will be working with tenants who are experiencing financial challenges as a result to support them to stay in their homes. Many are already suspending debt recovery and will try and use discretionary funding to support struggling household as quickly and effectively as possible “Councils need the flexibility

"This extra funding will be crucial to support the tireless efforts of council social care staff to continue to support and protect people who rely of social care."

Cllr Richard Watts responds to plans by the Chancellor to invest £7 billion into the welfare system.

Retired care workers being asked to return to work could help support those most at risk of the coronavirus outbreak and provide a much-needed boost to an already over-stretched social care workforce, say council leaders.

“The coronavirus outbreak will severely test and stretch our social care workforce, who already do a tremendous job in the face of extreme pressures.”

"It is vital that even more of this vital protective equipment is available to those who need it, including our valuable social care staff and others providing essential local services."

"These figures begin to shine a light on the impact of coronavirus in care settings and on older and disabled people who use social care services."

"It is vital that the arrangements set out in the plan are urgently translated to reality on the ground."