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Your weekly update of London local government issues

06 January 2021

Lockdown is necessary to curb Covid-19 cases, but vital local services need support 

Following the ( [link removed] )Prime Minister's announcement ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) on Monday evening of a new national lockdown, London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) said: “It is heartbreaking that once again we are facing a national lockdown, but it is absolutely the right decision. Covid-19 cases are increasing at a dangerous rate and the NHS is in crisis.

“This will be devastating news for all Londoners and will hit disadvantaged families, children, clinically vulnerable people and local businesses hardest of all.

“Boroughs are digging deep to protect and support all our communities across the capital, drawing strength from the resilience they have shown over the past year.

“However we will also be clear with national government and others that more resources will be needed to deliver vital local services and support businesses struggling to survive.

“Despite the fatigue we all feel, we must all continue to follow public health advice - hands, face and space - if we are to bring down the number of coronavirus cases and hospital admissions in our city.

“By working together over the next few months we have the best possible chance of keeping ourselves, our loved ones and our community safe as the vaccine rollout continues."

Detailed guidance on the national lockdown is available on the government website here. ( [link removed] )

Business support funding announced

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off top up worth up to £9,000 per property to help them through to the spring, ( [link removed] )under a new £4.6 billion package of emergency funding announced by the Chancellor yesterday. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

The new funding followed the Prime Minister's announcement that such business will need to close until at least February half-term to help control the virus.

In additional to the one-off grants for businesses closed as a result of lockdown, the Chancellor also revealed:

A £594 million discretionary fund to support other impacted businesses £1.1 billion further discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and an extension of furlough scheme.

The emergency support for businesses comes at a critical time, with one in three (34.1 per cent) of small businesses in London already reporting they have either zero or less than three months of cash reserves left.

While the emergency funding is welcome, London Councils has called on government to provide a clearer plan for businesses that looks ahead to when we emerge from the pandemic, including a targeted extension to the business rates holiday and a reverse in the policy to end VAT-free shopping.  

Recycle your Christmas tree

The ( [link removed] )London Fire Brigade ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) is reminding Londoners to recycle their Christmas trees and not to burn them. The LFB said that, with an increase in real Christmas tree sales this year, they were concerned at a potential spike in call outs. Recycling Christmas trees is both a safer and a greener way to dispose of them. Londoners should check their council website for local recycling arrangements.

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In the news...

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Fears for business and the poorest in London as government announces new lockdown measures for England
( [link removed] )OnLondon ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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It will need all hands to the pump to get London back where it should be
( [link removed] )City AM ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Councils welcome announcement of third national lockdown
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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London hospitals under increasing pressure as 5,600 Covid patients admitted in eight days
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Critically-ill Covid patients in London and south east will be sent to hospitals in the West Country to ease pressure on overwhelmed wards ( [link removed] )Mail Online ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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'Step up' and face Grenfell inquiry, minister tells cladding firm bosses
( [link removed] )The Guardian ( [link removed] ) ( [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] )

By the leaders blogs

We've been publishing a series of blogs by London borough leaders as the capital responds to the challenges of Covid-19.  ( [link removed] )You can read all our leaders' blogs on the website here... ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

New blog added: Mayor Philip Glanville: ( [link removed] ) The role of Londoners and their councils will be crucial in fight against climate change.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) latest information and advice

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

National lockdown:
Stay at Home ( [link removed] )

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

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