Responding to the Budget, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the
Local Government Association, said:
Local recovery
“Tackling the economic challenges ahead is a huge task. It is
councils who know their local areas best and must be able to lead
efforts to rebuild and level up our economy, get people back into
work and create new hope for communities. It is good that
councils have been placed at the heart of the delivery of new
funds such as the Levelling Up Fund and Community Renewal Fund.
We look forward to working with Government on the detail but are
concerned by the prospect of competitive bidding processes at a
time when councils want to be fully focused on protecting
communities and businesses from the impact of the pandemic.”
Business support
“Emergency government grants distributed by councils have been a
vital lifeline to struggling businesses worried about the future
during the pandemic. It is good that further funding will be
provided to support businesses and councils remain ready to use
their local knowledge and expertise to distribute this new money
quickly.”
Furlough/jobs
“The COVID-19 pandemic could lead to the number of long-term
unemployed people across England reaching 1.2 million. The
furlough scheme has been vital in securing jobs that may have
otherwise been lost so it is important that it has been extended.
It will be crucial to ensure people seeking to re-enter the
labour market get the local support, advice and training they
need to face the future. Councils stand ready to work in
partnership with the Government at the earliest stage to shape
new and re-design existing Plan for Jobs initiatives, so they are
effective and connected on the ground to ensure no community is
left behind.”
Universal Credit
“Many households could be economically vulnerable for some time
so we are pleased that the Chancellor has announced an extension
to the universal credit uplift. We remain clear that this must be
kept in place for as long as it is needed so that households are
not pushed into financial hardship as a result of vital support
being withdrawn. The mainstream benefits system will need to
provide the first line of support to those in need with councils
given adequate local welfare funding to provide additional help.”
Council funding/social care
“Councils continue to lead local efforts to protect lives and
livelihoods from COVID-19 but still face substantial cost
pressures and income losses. The Government has provided a
significant financial package of support so far to help but the
ongoing financial impact and unpredictability of the pandemic
means this support must be kept under review. We continue to call
on government to meet – in full - all cost pressures and income
losses incurred by councils as a result of the pandemic.
“Further action is also desperately needed to immediately shore
up social care services, and to secure the long-term future of
care and support. The Government must urgently bring forward its
proposals, including a clear timetable for reform, so that we can
finally put social care on a sustainable footing and enable
people to live the lives they want to lead.
“Public finances are undoubtedly under huge strain but investment
in our local services will be vital for our national economic and
social recovery. Alongside sustainable long-term investment for
councils in the forthcoming Spending Review, bringing power and
resources closer to people is the key to improving lives,
tackling deep set inequalities and building inclusive growth
across the country as we move forward.”
Notes to editors
- The LGA - which represents councils of all types across
England and Wales - will be publishing a comprehensive On-the-Day
briefing later, detailing what all the announcements mean for
councils and communities and giving an initial LGA view.
