Briefings and responses

National economic growth can only be achieved if every local economy is firing on all cylinders. Councils need the right powers and adequate long-term funding to play a lead role in unlocking the labour market, creating jobs, plugging skills gaps and delivering for all our communities.

Local initiatives and innovation are important in increasing cooperation across the emergency services.

Emergency proposals for the update of the 2021/22 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom: Exceptional consultation on time-limited changes to the Code to help alleviate current delays to the publication of audited financial statements

The adoption of elected mayors has been put forward as a condition of substantial devolution, but there is no evidence that good governance can be delivered through this model alone.

Devolution to local areas will require enhanced arrangements for democratic engagement and oversight.

In our Child-centred recovery report, we highlight how effective, high quality early years provision makes a difference to young children, helping to break the cycle of disadvantage, improving social mobility and offering them a good start in life. Early years providers have continued to support children throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Local authorities have the ultimate responsibility to support, safeguard, care for and house vulnerable members of their community.

The LGA opposes both forced academisation and the transfer of significant powers relating to education to unelected civil servants.

We welcome the recommendation of an ambitious, long-term strategy for adult skills and lifelong learning and that local authorities are awarded powers and funding to take on an enhanced statutory role for mapping, commissioning and delivery.

Data shows that council-maintained schools receive better Ofsted ratings, and improve more quickly, than academy schools.