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, 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.”

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."

You can read the article in full here.

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, London Councils’ Executive Member for Skills and Employment, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, 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."

You can read more about the awards and this year's shortlist here.