In an open letter to 'all who work in local government' Secretary of State Robert Jenrick has expressed his thanks to the "unsung heroes working to support your communities during the coronavirus pandemic".

He goes on to say: "This is understandably a challenging time for everyone and the work you are doing has never been more vital. You are keeping the country moving, helping to protect the NHS and enabling them to save lives."

The letter also confirms the provision of an additional £1.6 billion in funding to councils nationally to help meet the costs of new demands and responsibilities.

Responding to the letter and funding announcment, London Councils Chair Cllr Peter John said: “The Secretary of State is right to praise council workers as the unsung heroes of the Covid-19 crisis – and boroughs will be relieved to see his warm words backed up with this latest instalment of much-needed funding.

“In this emergency situation, it’s vital central government ensures local services have the funding required to keep supporting communities. We will continue working with ministers to highlight the pressures on council budgets and to make sure extra funding reaches frontline services.”

On Monday,the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy published data on the amount of money distributed to SMEs by every local authority in England as part of the two grant schemes launched to help businesses deal with coronavirus.

Commenting on the data, Cllr Clare Coghill, London Councils’ Executive Member for Business, Europe & Good Growth, said: "Boroughs have been working incredibly hard to distribute the grants announced which will be distributed via the business rates system. In total London boroughs are administrating £1.66 billion of grant to over 116,000 business across the city, representing 13.5 per cent of England’s grant.

“However gaps in the data from businesses has been a significant problem. Boroughs need businesses’ bank details to ensure rapid payments can be made while carrying out the appropriate checks to minimise the potential for fraud.

“In a matter of a couple of weeks we estimate London boroughs have distributed 52 per cent of the funding, representing about 56,000 individual grants.

“Boroughs will continue to work hard to distribute these grants and we urge businesses that have not done so to provide the details boroughs require to get the money to them as quickly and easily as possible."

Councils across the capital have joined forces to make it easier for people with essential care skills, including care workers, care managers, social workers, occupational therapists, chefs and cleaners, to find jobs in the care sector through the Proud to Care London website.

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, said: “I’m proud of the vital role that care workers across London have played in supporting our most vulnerable residents at this hugely challenging time, and these frontline workers will become even more critical in the weeks ahead.

“By urgently recruiting more people to the sector, councils in London are taking action to ensure they can keep giving the right care and support to the growing number of people who need it.

“If you’re looking for work and can fill one of these roles, make sure you register with Proud to Care London – you really could help protect the NHS and save lives in your community.”

The London Resilience Forum's Strategic Coordination Group has published guidance on managing funerals during the coronavirus crisis, to ensure funerals remain as normal as possible for as long as possible, in line with
social distancing regulations.

When this cannot be sustained, the guidance sets out a set of minimum standards that should be maintained, including respect for the family's choice of burial or cremation, in line with the requirements and conditions set out in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

London had the highest poverty rates in the UK before the outbreak of Covid-19, according to figures published by the Trust for London yesterday.

The Trust said that the data will be an important baseline against which the impacts of Covid-19 on poverty in the capital can be measured.

Responding to the report, Cllr Muhammed Butt, London Councils’ Executive Member for Welfare, Empowerment & Inclusion, said: “Too many Londoners already live lives plagued by insecurity, including low-wage work and homelessness, but Covid-19 has only ramped up the pressures further. We’re extremely worried by the relationship between coronavirus and health inequalities, with emerging data suggesting a particularly severe impact on BAME communities.

“Boroughs are committed to tackling poverty and inequality and to achieve this we need strengthened powers and resources from central government to improve local support in our communities. The current crisis can’t be a distraction from this crucial national agenda. Reducing poverty and promoting opportunity will be essential to the UK’s economic recovery – and addressing London’s appalling poverty rates must be a key priority.”

The RNIB has welcomed changes to the Taxicard scheme that allow members to have drivers pick up and deliver essential supplies to them, or to have friends, family members, or carers travel on their behalf using their Taxicard for the same purpose.

Tricia Smikle, RNIB Partnerships and Development Manager for London, said: “RNIB has been getting a huge number of calls from blind and partially sighted people worried about access to groceries, so we’re delighted that the Taxicard scheme has been extended.

“Visually impaired people are not currently included in the list of those able to access priority online shopping slots, but many will be finding it difficult to buy essential items without guidance in shops due to social distancing guidelines. Initiatives such as Taxicard are vital to ensure that everyone in society is able to get the items they need.”

Managed by London Councils, the scheme is funded by London’s local authorities and Transport for London (TfL).

You can find more information about Taxicard and the recent changes on London Councils' website here.