London Councils says the arrival of a new Prime Minister is a crucial opportunity for “strengthened partnership and policy focus” on the immense challenges the country faces.

The cross-party group welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to supporting the capital and recognition of London’s pivotal role in the levelling up agenda. 

Boroughs also highlight the urgent need to help low-income households through worsening cost-of-living pressures and to ensure financial stability for the local public services London’s communities rely on. 

Chair of London Councils, Cllr Georgia Gould, said: “Boroughs stand ready to work with the new Prime Minister - and there is certainly no time to waste.

“During the leadership contest, we were pleased to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge London’s pressures and speak enthusiastically about the capital’s contribution to the UK’s future.

“Like the rest of the country, London is struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing inflation. Low-income households are under massive strain and public services are seeing their budgets squeezed dramatically. 

“Central government and local authorities must work together on these issues. From the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine through to reducing rough sleeping, London boroughs and the government have built effective partnerships in recent years and made impressive progress on our shared goals. 

“We’re determined to see this continue under the new Prime Minister and the government she leads. With strengthened partnership and policy focus between all levels of government, we will all be better placed to deliver for our communities.”

The Rt Hon Simon Clarke MP was last night appointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

London Councils has welcomed the publication of the government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy and the accompanying funding announcement.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said: “Progress is being made on reducing rough sleeping in the capital, and boroughs are determined to play our part in ending it altogether. This strategy and funding boost put our work on a much firmer footing and will make a real difference.

“Tackling rough sleeping requires a range of policy measures, as well as close partnerships between different agencies and long-term funding commitments for the frontline services keeping people off the streets.

“Boroughs hope a similar approach of partnership between central and local government and additional resources for services can be developed for ending other forms of homelessness – especially the huge number of Londoners living in temporary accommodation.”

While the Rough Sleeper Strategy is welcome however, London Coiuncils has raised serious concerns over proposed changes to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which provides the main source of funding for local authorities to tackle and prevent homelessness.

Responding to a recent consultation on the changes, London Councils stated that the two options outlined in the consultation would both result in reduced resources for the capital from 2023 onwards – despite London having by far the highest homelessness rates in the country. Read the full story here.

If you are potentially interested in a career in the homelessness sector, you are invited to attend a London-wide careers fair at the new City Hall on 27 September (between 3pm and 7pm).

Help is needed before this winter as multiple providers in the homelessness services sector are ramping up hiring, particularly for client-facing roles in street outreach and hostels (shelters).

The career fair will feature multiple homelessness sector service providers and enable you to learn learn more about working in the sector and current vacancies.

The London Career Fair is jointly organised by London Councils, Homelessness Link and Bloomberg Associates,

You can register to attend the London Career Fair here.

The Centre for Ageing Better will host an online Age-friendly councillors roundtable tomorrow (8 September). The event is aimed at councillors keen to explore how councils can foster an age-friendly approach in their communities. Members can register for the (free) event here.