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“The Government needs to act fast and work with councils if they are to boost the number of apprenticeships and drive local economic growth."

“Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood in which they are loved and supported to reach their full potential"

“Mental health needs to be at heart of a holistic approach to overall health and wellbeing, which includes access to parks and green spaces, meeting housing needs and providing learning and training opportunities.”

“The Government needs to go further to help schools pay for the cost of the pandemic. Unless the COVID-19 workforce fund is extended after Christmas, backdated and eligibility for it widened, more schools will have no option but to close after having spent their budgets on supply teachers, which will only serve to exacerbate growing attainment gaps.”

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, responds to a report by the Education Policy Institute on unexplained pupil exits from schools.

“The Government needs to urgently complete its positive ongoing review of the SEND system. This needs to set out reforms that increase mainstream inclusion, provide councils with long-term certainty of funding to meet immense demand for SEND support."

"Councils are committed to ensuring that parents have access to high quality, flexible childcare so that all children get the best start in life, and have been working closely with local providers to try to make sure enough spaces are available for those who need them."

“The harrowing exploitation of children and young people is a significant, increasing concern for councils who work hard to identify and protect those at risk of abuse.

“The coronavirus pandemic has shown that listening and working together can lead to policies that have positive outcomes for our most vulnerable communities, including children and young people from low-income families."

Responding to an announcement by the Department of Education about an extra £700 million for children with special educational needs, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the Children and Young People Board, said: "It is great that the Government has acted on the LGA’s call for a significant funding boost for services that support children with special educational needs next year. "Councils want to ensure every child gets the best education possible and that every parent can choose the sort of education setting they want for their child. "This funding will help councils meet unprecedented