Briefings and responses

Low income households can, potentially, mitigate the impact of reductions in benefits income by increasing their earning and reducing their outgoings.

The Chancellor’s Budget, delivered on Monday 29 October, provided a formal update on the state of the economy, responded to the new economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility and announced the Government’s fiscal measures.

Since 2010 councils have worked hard to manage a core reduction in funding of £16 billion through innovation, efficiencies, scale-backs and the decommissioning of non-statutory services.

A joint submission from the LGA and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Network in response to the consultation flags the issues around council support for those with NRPF more broadly.

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, delivered the 2018 Budget on 29 October. There were a number of tax and spending announcements of relevance to local government, and the Chancellor outlined the trajectory of overall public spending for the 2019 Spending Review.  

Good mental health is essential for a healthy and prosperous society. It is essential to prevent mental health issues arising, intervening early if problems do start surfacing, and helping people manage their lives going forward.

The LGA has been part of a wide steering group on Settled Status, ensuring that the voice of local government is heard by the Home Office, offering advice around consultation with local government, and ensuring that all tiers and areas of local government are represented.

We support the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill. Councils want their residents to live in homes that are decent, safe and secure, and councils’ housing teams work hard to ensure homes are fit for purpose.

The housing shortage is one of the most pressing issues we face. Councils have a key role in delivering more affordable housing and helping to build 300,000 homes a year. The last time this country built more than 250,000 homes a year, councils delivered more than 40 per cent of them

"Over recent years councils have created an extra 800,000 new school places. This is a demonstrable record that shows they are doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place."