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Your weekly update of London local government issues

10 June 2020

Help councils to end rough sleeping

London Councils is calling on the government to support a range of measures to build on the success of boroughs in bringing around 5,000 rough sleepers in from the streets since the start of the pandemic.

Councils across the capital have spent around £500 million on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping as a result of Covid-19 and London Councils is urging the government not to let this 'golden opportunity' to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping altogether pass.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Chronic housing insecurity leaves people more vulnerable to illness, which is why the government was right to introduce a ban on evictions and to help fund emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.

“But we can’t afford to squander these achievements. Without ongoing measures to help keep people in their homes, we expect homelessness rates to shoot back up again – probably to even higher levels than before the crisis.

“London boroughs share the government’s ambitions on reducing homelessness – but action is needed now.”  

On Friday, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said that the government would extend the suspension of new evictions from social and private rented homes until 23 August.

He added that the government was working with the judiciary on "proposals to ensure that when evictions proceedings do recommence, arrangements, including rules, are in place to assist the court in giving appropriate protections for those who have been particularly affected by coronavirus – including those tenants who have been shielding."

High Streets will need continuing support

As London’s businesses start to reopen, London Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are asking commercial landlords to 'do the right thing' for their struggling tenants.

An FSB survey of their London members found that one in three (32 per cent) have faced severe difficulties in making rent or mortgage repayments as a result of the coronavirus lockdown’s economic impact.

With a large number of commercial rents next due at the end of June, Cllr Clare Coghill, London Councils Executive Member for Business, Europe and Good Growth ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) called on landlords to continue to support their business tenants.

“Many landlords have been outstanding champions for their business tenants, offering rental holidays as well as additional business support, giving their tenants some security in this difficult time", she said."It is vital this collaborative work continues to achieve security for small businesses and for the future of London’s high streets.”

Support for more walking and cycling

The majority of Londoners support moves to give more space to pedestrians and cyclists over the longer term, according to a new poll exploring Londoners changing attitudes to travel.

The poll, commissioned by Centre for London and sponsored by the London Environment Directors Network (LEDNet), found that a majority of Londoners support moves to widen pavements and improve cycle lanes. In the poll, 69 per cent of respondents support widening of pavements temporarily; and 56 support widening them permanently; 64 per cent back the temporary provision of new or widened cycle lanes, with 57 per cent keen to see these moves made permanent.

LEDNet chair Dan Jones said: “There have been huge positives for the fight against climate change born out of lockdown thanks to people making greener travel choices. The support shown by Londoners for initiatives to increase walking and cycling will be extremely beneficial to London’s environmental future. We want to ensure these decisions become habits as we enter the next stage of the pandemic and London’s recovery.”

You can explore more of the poll findings on the Centre for London website here ( [link removed] )

Huge rise in refund complaints

London Trading Standards is reminding consumers of their legal rights to refunds for cancelled holidays and events amid reports of a surge in consumer complaints. 

The LTS say that some companies have been attempting to pressure customers into accepting vouchers instead of refunds. Such vouchers aren’t financially protected if the company goes bust. Some travel agents have also been deducting significant ‘admin’ fees from refunds, contrary to the law.

London Trading Standards Operations Director, Stephen Knight, said: “The travel and event industry is obviously facing an enormous challenge in the current pandemic, but it is not the responsibility of individual consumers to provide an industry-wide bail-out. Consumer rights to a refund are enshrined in EU and UK law and must be upheld."

You can download the LTS consumer advice here. ( [link removed] )

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In the news...

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London Councils warn spending on homelessness is 'unsustainable'
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London Recovery Board meets for first time
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Evictions suspended for a further two months
LocalGov ( [link removed] )

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Coronavirus Nearly Ended Street Homelessness in U.K. Maybe Not for Long.
New York Times ( Coronavirus Nearly Ended Street Homelessness in U.K. Maybe Not for Long.?campaignkw=NYT ) ( Coronavirus Nearly Ended Street Homelessness in U.K. Maybe Not for Long.?campaignkw=NYT )

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Coronavirus: No new Covid-19 deaths in London
BBC News ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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New fund launched to create apprenticeships in London
City A.M ( [link removed] )

By the boroughs, for the community

A snapshot of some of the work boroughs are doing to support vulnerable people, improve lives and keep London going through the Covid-19 pandemic ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Leaders' Blogs

Read Brent Council Leader Cllr Muhammed Butt's blog post here ( [link removed] )

Coronavirus (Covid-19) latest information and advice

Please check these websites for the most up-to-date and accurate infomation regarding coronavirus and government, NHS and PHE advice:

Staying safe outside your home ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Information on UK government response to Coronavirus (Covid-19) ( [link removed] )

Read frequently asked questions about coronavirus on Public Health England’s blog ( [link removed] )

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London Government Directory 2020

We're currently testing an updated version of the London Government Directory. Try it here and let us know what you think ( [link removed] )

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Sponsored by: London Communications Agency ( [link removed] )

and remember to follow us for all the breaking news...

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visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

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London Councils fights for the best deal for our boroughs, develops policy and lobbies government on the issues
that matter for London. We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard.
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