LGA responds to NAO report into DWP pandemic support

Responding to the National Audit Office report on the Department for Work and Pensions’ response to the pandemic, Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chair of the Local Government Association's People and Places Board said:

“Throughout the pandemic, local authorities have been rightly trusted to coordinate employment, training and business support for their local area. It is good that this report recognises the crucial role that they have played in this, working closely and transparently with local partners to deliver and coordinate these schemes on the ground.

“Councils want to build on this success to ensure local communities benefit more from national schemes. For that to happen, it is vital that the Department for Work and Pensions continues to work with the LGA and councils to co-design schemes at an earlier stage to maximise how this supports residents and businesses in local communities.

“This is essential for training and employment opportunities to be available to everyone across the country, if we are to build back better from the pandemic.”