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"The LGA has long made the case for the importance of green and outdoor spaces for people’s health and wellbeing. This funding is a positive step and will enable more local authorities to create spaces to enable communities to build activity in their daily lives."

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board responds to the Government’s announcement in the Spending Review of funding for the UK’s culture, tourism and sport sectors.

"Councils and combined authorities know their communities best and are uniquely placed to bring together partners to help deliver this funding including through adult and community learning centres."

"The package of measures announced today aimed at preventing crime, reducing wait times in the criminal courts and improving services available to prison leavers provides funding for a wide range of areas the LGA has previously called for investment in."

“To further support the education of children with special educational needs and disabilities, the Government should urgently complete its ongoing review of the SEND system"

“Councils want to work with government to prioritise a child-centred recovery plan which offers the brightest future for children and families as we recover from the pandemic – it is essential this plan goes beyond the First 1000 days so that councils can intervene early at whichever stage families need it."

"We are pleased at the plans to tackle high strength cheap alcohol like white ciders and strong lagers. More alcohol-free and lower-strength cider, wine, beer and spirits are needed to help tackle a ticking time-bomb caused by drink-related health problems, reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder, meet growing demand for them and help ease the pressure on the pub trade."

“We are pleased that today’s Spending Review has provided new government grant funding for councils over the next three years to support vital local services. This will help meet some – but not all - of the extra cost and demand pressures they face just to provide services at today’s levels."

The Local Government Association and NHS Confederation are joining forces to call on the Chancellor to use the Spending Review to provide genuinely new money for social care so that it also benefits from funding to tackle immediate pressures.

“Coronavirus will be with us for many months and years ahead and councils want to play their full part in helping to design a test and trace strategy for the medium and long-term which keeps our communities safe."