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“Levelling up has great potential to transform people’s lives and livelihoods, with councils best placed to make this happen."

“Councils want to work with government on developing a better system for accommodating and supporting asylum seekers."

"Councils will want to continue to work closely with government to ensure the rights and needs of children are at the heart of these new arrangements. These need to enable local partners to give children the help they need, including mental and physical health support and appropriate education."

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community and Wellbeing Board, responds to the Prime Minister’s announcement to create a new Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

“While it is good that councils will receive initial one-year funding to deliver the scheme at the same level, this needs to be followed through with long-term funding in the Spending Review."

“With people living longer, increases in costs and decreases in funding, the system is at breaking point and is ramping up pressures on unpaid carers who are the backbone of the care system."

Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board responds to the publication of the Government’s Integration Strategy.

"Councils have had an excellent track record in welcoming asylum-seeking and refugee children and their families for many years, and continue to work hard to support the Syrian resettlement scheme alongside all the other schemes in the current operation."

“We are pleased that Government is providing additional funding for unaccompanied asylum seeking children. This is positive recognition of the valuable role councils play in providing support to children and young people starting a new life in the UK."

“With the vast majority of refugee children aged 16 or 17, this change in funding needs to be followed through so that care leaving costs, which are equal to or greater than those of non-UASC, are fully funded, as this remains the main barrier to councils taking on responsibility for ever-growing numbers."