Briefings and responses

The LGA has long highlighted that adult social care exists to enable adults of all ages and with a range of conditions to live their best life and an equal life.

We have long-called for the existing outdated taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing laws to be updated and strengthened.

Government should consider accelerating work to devolve greater legal and fiscal powers to local government, moving to long-term and sustainable funding arrangements, and enshrining the Charter of Local Self-Governance in UK law.

A national formula to ensure fairness between schools in different areas is welcome, but an element of local flexibility must be retained in the implementation of this policy.

Access to fast and reliable broadband is a necessity for households and businesses in the UK.

We want to work with central government to encourage more women to enter politics, whether as local councillors or Members of Parliament.

School-based counselling and mental health support needs to be fully funded by the Government in all state-funded secondary schools and academies, to help support rising numbers of children and young people reporting mental health issues.

As place leaders, asset owners and significant purchasers, local leaders have the ability to impact on more than a third of emissions across villages, towns and cities.

Alongside Council Tax, business rates represent the largest source of income for councils. In 2018/19 business rates are forecast to raise a total of £24.8 billion, of which about £12 billion is expected to be retained by councils under the current 50 per cent scheme.

The LGA welcomed the appointment of a House of Lords Select Committee to investigate the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003 and the insight that the Committee’s work has provided in a number of areas.