Briefings and responses

It is good to see that Defra’s recognises the need for urgency after a long period of delay, but decisions made without proper consideration of the evidence may have unforeseen consequences for councils.

The LGA welcomes the opportunity to comment on amendments to the regulation of POPs and the impact this could have on services that are highly valued by residents.

The LGA’s response sets out our views on the draft regulations that will set up the new system of producer responsibility for packaging. This will require producers and manufacturers to pay councils for the cost of dealing with used packaging in household waste and recycling.

The LGA is supportive of measures to provide greater clarity for consumers around terms used to describe the alcohol content of products, and for there to be consistency in the use of terms used to describe low alcohol products.

The LGA supports the Government’s decision to make relationship education at primary and relationship and sex education at secondary compulsory in all schools and health education compulsory in all state-funded schools, however we would like to see HE made compulsory in all schools

The DfE sought views on how remaining National Skills Funding could be used to help more people benefit from the new publicly funded level 3 qualifications offer, skills bootcamps and how it can meet critical skills needs. This LGA response considers the view of local authorities – councils and combined authorities – as place shapers and leaders and adult learning providers.

This LGA response to the Government consultation considers the views of local authorities – councils and combined authorities – as place shapers and leaders, adult learning providers and commissioners.

It is helpful to acknowledge the multi-agency nature of child protection work. By including this as one of the pillars, we hope to see more done to hold partners to account, for example ensuring that children and families can access appropriate mental health services where this is key to keeping them safe and well. There is no reference within these pillars to the importance of properly resourcing the system.

The LGA welcomes the ambition behind the draft accessibility action plan. It is vitally important that as many transport options as possible are open to everyone and councils will do all they can to help meet the goals contained within the plan.

We welcome the Government's continued support for the devolution of public health responsibility and power to local authorities, allowing local services to be shaped to meet local needs must continue to be the core principle of the reforms as outlined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.