News

“Councils across the country work hard to make sure they are able to access the support they need while continuing to enjoy their childhoods and fulfil their full potential."

Chair of the Local Government Association’s City Regions Board, Sir Richard Leese, responds to the Office for National Statistics figures on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs).

Responding to the latest ONS figures published today on teenage pregnancies in England and Wales for 2018, which shows that the conception rate for women under 18 has decreased for the eleventh year in a row, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The halving of teenage pregnancy rates over the last two decades is a tribute to the hard work of councils and their partners, in helping to improve the health, wellbeing and life chances of young people. “We need to build upon these achievements and tackle health inequalities in more

"Today’s decision provides much needed clarity for head teachers, parents and families."

“We are pleased that the Government has listened to our call to extend the food voucher scheme to cover the Easter holidays."

“We want to work with the Government to ensure that schools are given the support they need over the immediate term, and this includes urgently placing a temporary pause on academy conversions during this time.

“Councils have a track record of doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place, having created more than 800,000 new places since 2010."

“Councils are extremely concerned about the financial viability of early years providers, many of whom are operating at a loss in order to provide vital childcare for our critical workers and most vulnerable children."

School closures, staff sickness and coronavirus demand on resources has left many councils struggling to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, the Local Government Association says today.  

"This funding is good news and will help councils and partner organisations further support child victims of domestic abuse, which can have a long-term and devastating impact on families."