94 per cent of children due to start secondary school in London this September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

88 per cent per cent of London pupils were offered a place at one of their top three choices of secondary school, a 2 per cent increase from last year.

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London Councils has welcomed the government's announcement of funding to support reducing rough sleeping, while calling for wider policy challenges to tackle homelessness.  

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning, said: "It’s crucial to secure long-term, strategic investment from the government for local services so that councils can prevent homelessness in the first place and support people to move into permanent homes."

Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils writes in a blog post regarding the determination to ensure young people from all backgrounds are given the best start in life.

"To deal with the serious issues London is grappling with, as well as the variation in young people’s achievements in different parts of the capital, London boroughs want more local control and targeted solutions.

The consensus in the capital across the political spectrum on prioritising children and young people is mirrored in the Government’s election manifesto, which means there’s no excuse for inaction."