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The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.

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Right to Buy needs reform to avoid social housing stock losses

The LGA is proposing reforms to the Right to Buy scheme in order to prevent the current net loss of much-needed social housing stock year on year currently being experienced by local authorities.

Social housing

LGA response to social housing allocations consultation

"We are calling on the Government to use the Budget to grant councils the flexibilities needed to resume their historic role as a major builder of affordable homes."

House under construction with scaffolding

LGA statement on Housing Secretary speech on planning and housing

"The reality is that planning is not a barrier to house building. Nine in 10 planning applications are approved by councils despite significant resourcing and capacity issues across the country."

View allHousing and planning articles
Aerial shot of houses

Empty homes in England rise by nearly 10 per cent in five years

The number of long-term empty homes has increased nationally by nearly 10 per cent over the past five years, the equivalent of just over one per cent of the country’s housing stock, a new report commissioned by the Local Government Association reveals today. 

photo of top half of a row of red brick houses

King's Speech: LGA statement on Renters’ Reform Bill

“This Bill will help to achieve better standards in the private rented sector through increasing the rights of tenants and enabling them to better hold landlords to account."

View allHousing and planning articles
Aerial shot of houses

£1.74 billion spent supporting 104,000 households in temporary accommodation

Increasing numbers of families are turning to councils for temporary accommodation as homelessness reaches record highs, the Local Government Association warns.  Analysis from the LGA, which represent councils across England, reveals that the number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen by 89 per cent over the past decade to 104,000 households at the end of March 2023 – the highest figures since records began in 1998 – costing councils at least £1.74 billion in 2022/23.  The severe shortage of social housing means councils are being forced to pay to house people in private

Block-of-flats-961x641

LGA responds to Housing Ombudsman's Annual Complaints Review

Councils are working hard to deliver good outcomes for tenants and are committed to improving housing conditions for all residents.

homeless person sitting in street with red hat and a cardboard sign

‘Turn the tide of rising homelessness’: LGA responds to Kerslake Commission report

“Councils want to turn the tide of rising homelessness and ensure no one has to sleep rough on our streets, an ambition which Lord Kerslake admirably strived for."

View allHomelessness articles
New Housing estate building site

Delays to planning fee increase continue to cost taxpayer £5 million a week – councils

​​​​​​​Taxpayers will continue to subsidise planning services by almost £5 million a week until the Government finalises measures to increase fees to cover the cost of processing applications, councils warn today.

View allHousing and planning articles
Ariel shot of a housing estate in a sunny setting

New housing qualification requirements could cost councils £18m in first two years

Councils could face an extra bill of £18 million to deal with new government housing standards, as revealed by research undertaken by the LGA.