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Your weekly update of London local government issues

8 Sep 2021

Adult Social Care funding

The Prime Minister yesterday ( I will make a statement on the government’s plans for health and social care.?campaignkw=PMstatement )made a statement to the House of Commons ( [link removed] ) ( I will make a statement on the government’s plans for health and social care.?campaignkw=PMstatement ) on the government’s plans for health and social care.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement, Cllr Danny Thorpe, London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care ( [link removed] ), said: “Adult social care reform has languished on the ‘too difficult’ pile for many years, so we’re pleased to see this key policy challenge reach the top of the government’s agenda.

“We certainly welcome the announcement of extra investment, the focus on affordability concerns, and the commitment to integrate health and social care provision. However, the Prime Minister did not unveil a wholesale solution to the social care crisis and there remain considerable uncertainties.

“For example, social care faces massive and immediate financial pressures, but the majority of the new funding announced today will go to the NHS and it’s not yet clear what support will come to councils for social care services.

“Boroughs will continue urging the government to ensure social care services receive the resources they need to invest in the workforce and to meet residents’ needs. The government must use the upcoming Spending Review to build on today’s announcement and put social care on a stable financial footing for the years ahead.”

While London has a generally younger population than the rest of the country, the number of Londoners aged 65 and older is expected to increase by 71 per cent by 2039 – a faster rate than any other region in England. In the same time period, the number of Londoners aged 90 and older is set to grow by 156 per cent.

Grants deadline

Challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have increased the numbers of people in the capital in need of specialist support. Many Londoners experienced homelessness for the first time as employment terms changed or ended and while the ‘Everyone In’ scheme helped shelter many rough sleepers, it emphasised how many people still have housing needs. Alongside this, there was a significant increase in demand for domestic abuse victim services during the pandemic.

Third sector organisations supporting Londoners facing sexual and domestic abuse and homelessness are being encouraged to apply for London Councils’ new four-year grants programme.

The new grants programme, which will run from 2022 to 2026, is funded by London’s boroughs and will provide support to London’s most vulnerable residents.

( [link removed] )Details on how organisations can apply for the new programme can be found here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ). Please note that the deadline for applications to the new programme is noon this Friday (10 September 2021).

London Councils' Executive

London Councils' Executive met yesterday (Tuesday 7 September). Items on the agenda included: Spending Review (including London Councils' priorities for its representation to government); Economic Recovery Framework (including an update an update on activities and progress around the jobs pillar of London’s economic recovery framework); and Climate Change advocacy. ( an update on activities and progress around the jobs pillar of London’s economic recovery framework?campaignkw=EXEC )You can read the full agenda and accompanying papers here ( [link removed] ). ( an update on activities and progress around the jobs pillar of London’s economic recovery framework?campaignkw=EXEC )

While Leaders' Committee sets the strategic direction for London Councils, the 12-member cross-party Executive guides the organisation’s day-to-day work.

The Path to Net Zero

Later today, Vice Chair of London Councils' Environment and Transport Committee, Cllr Claire Holland, will be giving evidence to an oral session of the ( [link removed] )Environmental Audit Committee ( [link removed] ) looking at how local authorities are equipped to reach net zero.

London Councils has previously raised concerns that central government has not set clear expectations around the role of local government and net zero.

And while we welcome the creation of the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), the capital available to the UKIB is unlikely to be great enough to meet the decarbonisation challenge. In London we estimate that just retrofitting all housing tenures to net zero will cost £98 billion.

( [link removed] )You can more about the work of London Councils and member boroughs to tackle climate change here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Southwark Chief Executive to retire

Southwark chief executive ( [link removed] )Eleanor Kelly this week announced that she plans to retire in early 2022. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

She joined Southwark Council in September 2006 as interim deputy chief executive and was permanently appointed to that role in 2008. She was appointed to the role of  interim Chief Executive in 2011, and became the borough's permanent chief executive in 2012.

Keep London safe

Help ( [link removed] )#KeepLondonSafe ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) by wearing face coverings in crowded spaces. This help us to protect our staff, our public sector workers and each other.

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In the news...

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How boroughs are rising to the challenge and supporting Afghan refugees. (Cllr Rodwell from 1 hr 6 mins 10 secs)
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Covid cases in London top 1 million
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Covid: Air pollution increases risk of hospitalisation, study finds
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League table launched to rank effectiveness of climate plans
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Government to consult on al fresco dining and pop-ups
LocalGov ( [link removed] )

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Covid vaccines for teenagers ‘already too late to blunt autumn wave’
( [link removed] )The Times ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Vaccination facts

Vaccinations have been offered in pregnancy for many years.

( [link removed] )Find out more about the Covid vaccine and pregnancy in this video from Dr Viki Male, a reproductive immunologist at Imperial College London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Coronavirus (Covid-19) latest information and advice

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

Covid-19: Guidance and support ( [link removed] )

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

The official UK government website for data and insights on coronavirus: Daily summary ( [link removed] )

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

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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

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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.
59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

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