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“We are pleased to see culture, heritage and sport recognised for their impact in communities and be placed among the list of priorities in the white paper. As well as making a fundamental contribution to pride of place, they support local literacy and skills, and boost wellbeing, productivity and innovation."

“To support a good quality local private rented offer in their communities and turn this ambition into a reality, the Government needs to ensure councils have the ability to establish landlord licensing schemes and appropriate tools and resources to support the enforcement of the quality of housing."

"We fully support the investment targeted at ‘cold spot’ areas, to help provide the schooling every child deserves. However, the pandemic has hit the educational attainment of all pupils hard, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, and the impact of this will be felt for years to come."

“Levelling up is at the heart of what councils and combined authorities want for their communities and they have a critical role to play in achieving the 12 national missions set out in this wide-ranging white paper."

Our response to the announcement of measures to reduce serious violence and neighbourhood crime by 2030 in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper.

Commenting on research undertaken by the London School of Economics (LSE)  and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance about increasing access to perinatal mental health care, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “As this stark research highlights, perinatal mental health problems occur during the period from conception to the child’s second birthday. If untreated and unsupported, these mental health problems can continue to affect mothers, and their families for years afterwards. In the UK, one in five are affected by maternal

“As this report highlights, awarding funding in small pots on a competitive basis has created uncertainty and hindered councils’ ability to plan strategically for their communities.

"Domestic abuse is complex and in order to enhance efforts to combat this issue, through both prevention schemes and support services, councils need to be fully funded across all services."

“Using their local leadership, knowledge of the local labour market and ability to bring partners together, councils are uniquely placed to deliver a coherent, local joined-up offer to help people get back into work and training, backed up by the right funding.”

“The end to the eviction ban brought in to protect tenants during the pandemic has undoubtedly contributed to this rise in households threatened with homelessness from the private sector, and councils are eager to work with government on a plan to safeguard tenants."