Responding to the Prime Ministers' announcement of new national restrictions from 5 November, London Councils' Chair Cllr Georgia Gould said: "This is a difficult and worrying time for all Londoners - our communities, residents and businesses. Unfortunately we have seen rising cases and most seriously hospital admissions in many parts of the UK including London.  In light of this the new restrictions announced by the government are essential to keep all Londoners safe.

"The London boroughs stand together with Londoners in the fight against Covid-19. We will be working flat out over the coming weeks to ensure that those who need help in our  community have as much support as possible during this difficult time.

“We will continue to work with the Mayor and the government to attempt to balance the public health, economic and social impacts of this virus and we will continue to make the case for a comprehensive support package for residents, businesses and councils to enable people to stay safe and support our local economies.

"I know Londoners have already faced so much hardship and sacrifice and how hard it is to face more. But I have also seen the extraordinary way  communities have come together to take care of each other over the last few months and I hope we can continue to look after each other over a difficult winter.’

London boroughs are calling on the government to increase funding for councils to retrofit energy inefficient buildings to support new jobs, lower fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.  

Buildings are among the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, while London has among the highest fuel poverty rates in England. The Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville said the case for investment in London was a 'no-brainer'.

"Funding retrofitting projects brings immediate benefits to Londoners such as new jobs and lower fuel bills while also addressing the climate emergency and helping us reduce carbon emissions", he said.

“London boroughs are fully committed to the green recovery agenda and are putting significant resources into retrofitting. But in the face of both the economic and the climate crisis, ministers should seize the day and use the upcoming spending review to boost funding for this crucial work."

London Councils has called on government to support stretched local services to help keep rough sleepers off streets through the winter months.

London accounts for two thirds of all homelessness in England and London boroughs housed thousands of rough sleepers during the first wave of the pandemic. And with spending on emergency accommodation already expected to cost an extra £97 million in the capital, boroughs are braced for a rise in homelessness.

London Councils lead member for housing, Cllr Darren Rodwell said; "Local support services are already incredibly stretched and would struggle to cope with a spike in homelessness. The government needs to give councils the resources we require to support every homeless Londoner this year. Nobody must be left behind."

Brent was named Council of the Year at the LGC awards last week. The judges praised the council for demonstrating  "how to convene place and communities" and said it had "impressed on multiple fronts".

Other London boroughs recognised in the awards include; Croydon (Digital Impact and Health and Social Care); Merton (Environmental Services) and Tower Hamlets (Public Health).