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Your weekly London local government update

28 Jan 26

MPs hear evidence of temporary accommodation pressures in London

MPs on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee yesterday heard evidence from a range policy experts, charity and council representatives on conditions in temporary accommodation as part of the committee’s inquiry on housing conditions in England.

In her evidence to the committee, London Councils Executive Member for Housing, Cllr Grace Williams said: "Ultimately improving standards in Temporary Accommodation will require a significant increase in the supply of suitable housing.

"Positive steps have been taken by national government, but bolder action to increase funding to councils could support the rapid building or acquisition of better Temporary Accommodation.”

You can watch the session on Parliament TV in full here. ( [link removed] )

Women's Wellbeing workshops

Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness week is taking place from 3-9 February 2026.

nia ( [link removed] ), a partner in the Ascent Advice and Counselling project, is holding various women’s wellbeing workshops for female survivors of sexual violence, with East London Rape Crisis. The events, taking place on four different dates, are free. You can find out more and sign up here. ( [link removed] )

nia is also hosting an open mic and podcasting session for young women (aged 18–24 years-old) to share ideas, music, spoken word or try podcasting. You can find out more and sign up here. ( [link removed] )

Ascent Advice and Counselling is a project led by Women and Girls Network, funded by the London Councils Grants Programme. ( [link removed] )

Holocaust Memorial day

Yesterday (Tuesday 27 January) was Holocaust Memorial Day. The UK played a leading role in establishing HMD as an international day of commemoration in 2000, when 46 governments signed the Stockholm Declaration.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, 'Bridging Generations', is a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with the survivors - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past - to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. Find out more here. ( [link removed] )

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In the news this week...

Gould: Send white paper ‘still in development’
LGC ( [link removed] )
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England's councils spending 78% of their main budgets on social care
Sky News ( [link removed] )
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Leaders appointed for London mayor and boroughs retrofit partnership
Inside Housing ( [link removed] )
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Fears LGR will reduce councillor diversity
LGC ( [link removed] )
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London Local Government 
Directory

You can find contact details for every councillor in London in our London Government Directory here ( [link removed] ).

London Councils Committees

Leaders' Committee ( [link removed] )

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Executive Committee ( [link removed] )

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Transport & Environment Committee ( [link removed] )

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Transport & Environment Executive Committee ( [link removed] )

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Grants Committee ( [link removed] )

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Grants Executive Committee ( [link removed] )

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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.
We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard.
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