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The LGA said councils want to work with the Government to tackle the housing shortage and ensure new housing meets the needs of communities. As part of this, it is calling on permitted development rules to be scrapped and local communities to be allowed to have a vital say on new developments in their area.

“The report highlights some important learning for councils and government to take forward to improve fairness and accuracy within the benefits system."

New figures show that the number of children in care has risen by 28 per cent in the past decade with the system reaching breaking point, the Local Government Association reveals today.  The LGA is warning that this huge increase in demand is combining with funding shortages to put immense pressure on the ability of councils to support vulnerable children and young people, and provide the early help that can stop children and families reaching crisis point in the first place. The figures show that 78,150 children are now in care, up from 75,370 in 2018.   The Government’s manifesto promise

In last year’s LGA-funded trial, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council increased the uptake of assistive technology by 27 per cent.

New Year’s Eve revellers are being urged to avoid cheap and dangerous fake alcohol being sold by rogue retailers ahead of the biggest social night of the year.

Today’s announcement shows that the Government has listened to our calls and continued to fund homelessness services

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responds to the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

“Councils are uniquely placed to ensure communities benefit from the skills our country needs and maximise the opportunities of improving our skills and employment system."

“The newly announced retail discounts will provide support for high street businesses and pubs, but it is crucial that in line with normal government practice, councils are fully funded for this loss of extremely important income."

“We are keen to work with government and the waste industry to consider the impact of this ban, which will lead to new costs for councils as it will restrict where they can send recyclable material."