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“Locally-led responses have proven to be the best way to tackle significant outbreaks, which this framework rightly emphasises."

“Councils are doing everything in their power to provide high quality adult and social care support to adults of all ages in very difficult circumstances."

"Protecting and supporting communities, including our most vulnerable, remains councils’ top priority. They are working closely alongside Public Health England, the NHS and others to assess risk, provide advice to communities and try to prevent this virus spreading further."

Responding to the publication of the Government’s Care Home Resilience Plan announced by the Health Secretary at the Downing Street briefing, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This package of support is a recognition of councils’ vital leadership role in our national effort to combat coronavirus and protect our elderly and most vulnerable. “Social care is the frontline in the battle against this dreadful disease. As this plan makes clear, councils have a close relationship with their local care homes and are already working

“Public health, housing and social care teams will continue to work together to identify local solutions for rough sleepers most at risk, but homelessness services remain under huge pressure as a result of rising demand driven by a historic shortage of social housing.”

Cllr Richard Watts responds to plans by the Chancellor to invest £7 billion into the welfare system.

“Potential underfunding of these reforms would only exacerbate pre-existing significant pressures, which the reforms – and the funding for them – do nothing to address."

“Councils stand ready to support the NHS in the roll out of a booster vaccination programme, including using their unique local knowledge to help contact and prioritise all those who are eligible."

It is clear that the success of the vaccination programme has allowed us to live with COVID-19. But the threat of new variants still remains a concern, particularly for those who are more vulnerable in our communities.

“Vaccines are our ultimate route out of this pandemic and councils want to play their full part in what will be our largest ever school vaccination programme, given their existing close working relationship with schools, parents and health professionals."