Briefings and responses

Improving and maintaining good mental health for children is a vital priority for councils. Intervening early can dramatically improve an individual’s life chances and save our public services money in the longer term.

Councils have been calling for the Government to take tough action on sugar including reducing the amount of sugar in soft drinks and introducing teaspoon labelling on the front of products.

The arts make a significant contribution to the economy and society. The LGA’s Commission on Culture and Local Government drew together evidence of its contribution to resilient places, economic recovery, social mobility and addressing health inequalities.

LGA briefing on the House of Commons debate on devolution and district councils, Wednesday 15 November 2017

The information below outlines the scale of the financial challenge facing all councils, including district councils, and the measures which must be taken to ensure local government is funded sustainably. It also sets out the pressures facing some of district councils’ most in-demand services.

The LGA has long highlighted that funding for early entitlements is insufficient, which is resulting in a recruitment and retainment crisis in the sector, impacting the quality of childcare provision and the availability of good support for children, particularly those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

"We remain concerned that the introduction of the NFF, combined with changes to High Needs Funding, will exacerbate existing shortfalls in funding to support children and young people with SEND."

Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death and the biggest cause of cancer worldwide. As well as impacting upon health, smoking places a significant burden on the public purse, to the tune of £12.6 billion each year.

We support the intention of the Government’s proposals to future-proof new build homes with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. The Government’s manifesto commitment for a £3.8 billion capital Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is positive. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure effective implementation.

The sector has taken one of the biggest financial hits due to the COVID-19 crisis. Gaps in support packages alongside the absence of the seasonal boost the industry usually sees over the summer means the impact will be felt in the weeks and months to come, even as social distancing measures are eased.