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Your weekly update of London local government issues

10 Aug 2022

Afghan evacuation: One year on

Ahead of the first anniversary of Operation Pitting’s launch and the evacuation of thousands of Afghans, London Councils has highlighted the capital’s success in helping so many refugees start new lives as Londoners, while highlighting concerns about the severe shortage of long-term housing options for evacuees in the capital.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Communities, Cllr Claire Holland ( [link removed] ), said: “Events thousands of miles away in Afghanistan prompted a swift response from local authorities in the capital, as boroughs played a pivotal role in welcoming Afghan evacuees to the UK.

“One year on, there’s a huge amount of success for London to be proud of. In extremely challenging circumstances, boroughs moved quickly to co-ordinate local support for thousands of Afghans seeking sanctuary here. Alongside our partners in voluntary and community groups, at City Hall, and in the government, we’re pleased to see so many of the evacuees building new lives for themselves as Londoners.

“But this is far from ‘mission complete’. We know too many Afghan evacuees are still living in hotels. It’s an unsustainable situation, especially for the many families with children we’re supporting.

“Boroughs are very concerned by the lack of alternative housing options for these families – a particular challenge in the capital due to the chronic shortage of affordable housing here. London is already dealing with the most severe housing pressures and highest homelessness rates in the country.

“Many Afghan evacuees will continue relying on local services for the foreseeable future. Considering the support boroughs are also providing Ukrainian arrivals and other refugees, there are worries about the on-going impact on local resources. We will keep working closely with the government on these issues and will do everything we can to ensure the resettlement programmes succeed.”

Bridging the SEND gap

Services for children with special eductional needs and disabilities (SEND) have reached a "defining moment" as they experience increasing demand and cost pressures, London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People Cllr Ian Edwards has said this week.

Writing in the MJ, Cllr Edwards welcomes the government's recent Green Paper setting out proposals to make it easier for children and their families to access appropriate and timely support.

But he also highlights a number of key challenges, including capacity and the need for clear accountability to ensure statutory roles and responsibilities are fulfilled.

"London Councils will continue to champion the needs of every child", he says, "and work closely with partners across the capital, with government, and most improtantly with families, to improve the education and long-term outcomes for every child in London."

( [link removed] )You can read the article in full here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Apprenticeship Awards 2022 shortlist announced

London Councils has announced the shortlist for the 2022 London Borough Apprenticeship Awards. The awards, which are now in their 12th year, celebrate the exceptional impact apprentices have made across local government in London.

Announcing the shortlisted apprentices, ( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Skills and Employment, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: "The nominees of this year’s awards demonstrate a brilliant array of talented and passionate apprentices motivated to serve the public good and the dedicated officers and managers who take on and support them to achieve their potential."

( [link removed] )You can read more about the awards and this year's shortlist here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Ukraine

To stay up to date with news and ways to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, useful websites include:

Ukrainian Institute London ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )With Ukraine (fund set up by Ukrainian Embassy in UK) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )Support Ukraine Now ( [link removed] )
Covid-19 advice

The official UK government website for data and insights on coronavirus: Daily summary ( [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.
59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

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