Following the government’s commitment to resettle up to 20,000 Afghans through the introduction of a new Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme, London Councils sent a briefing to all London borough chief executives and housing directors on Friday (20 August).

The briefing explains both the existing Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (launched in April 2021) and outlines the developing picture so far on the new Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme, as well as some of the key questions that need to be answered now the scheme has been announced.

You can read the briefing in full here.

The Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police have set out a joint policing plan to cover the two weeks (22 Aug - 04 Sep) of planned protest by environmental group Extinction Rebellion.

Speaking ahead of the protests, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Matt Twist, said: “It is clear to us, from reading and listening to their public announcements that Extinction Rebellion’s intention is to once again cause significant disruption to London and to London’s communities through acts of civil disobedience.

“Like everyone else, Extinction Rebellion have the right to assemble and the right to protest. However these rights are qualified and are to be balanced against the rights of others. They do not have the right to cause serious disruption to London’s communities and prevent them going about their lawful business.”

Updates on the policing operation will be shared on @MetPoliceEvents on Twitter.

A new campaign to encourage more walking and cycling kicked off in the Royal Borough of Kingston this week. The 'Be the Solution' campaign has been developed with London Councils as part of the Low Carbon Transport programme (one of the seven major climate change programmes endorsed by London Councils Transport and Environment Committee). The campaign to promote alternatives to car use has been designed so that it can be used by any borough to support their sustainable transport and climate change programmes. If your borough would be interested in using the campaign materials, please contact Emma Stewart to let her know.

London Councils has added an Instagram account to its social media. You can follow us @londoncouncils