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Your weekly update of London local government issues

16 Nov 2022

Climate change and cost of living

Three-quarters of Londoners (75%) say the cost-of-living crisis has made it more difficult for them to take action to help prevent climate change, new polling commissioned by London Councils has revealed.

In the third year of polling by London Councils to gauge Londoners’ understanding of climate change and the effect it has on their lives, results showed the vast majority of Londoners (84%) are concerned about climate change. In addition to this, people are also becoming more worried about climate change with 72% of Londoners saying their level of concern has increased over the past 12 months.

However, those surveyed believe the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on their ability to take action to prevent climate change. 40% of Londoners think the cost-of-living crisis has definitely made it more difficult for them to take action to help prevent climate change, with 36% saying it has made it slightly more difficult. Positively however, 57% of Londoners say the cost-of-living crisis motivates them to do more on climate change if it also helps to reduce their costs.

Autumn Statement 

Ahead of the Autumn Statement expected to be delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt tomorrow (17 November), London Councils has briefed London MPs on the challenging financial outlook facing boroughs.

The energy crisis, soaring inflation, and rising demand for services has put huge additional financial pressures on boroughs’ budgets and opened a wide gap between the funding received and the amount spent on local services. Based on the government’s current funding plans, London boroughs face a gap of up to £400 million this year and £700 million in 2023/24.

( [link removed] )London Councils Chair Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) said: “The funding outlook for boroughs is beyond bleak. The scale of the savings required is colossal and will inevitably mean cuts to the vital frontline services that so many Londoners rely on.

“Boroughs will do everything we can to protect our communities but a £700 million funding gap next year will force us into the toughest of tough decisions unless the government offers new support.

“We’re urging the government to listen to councils’ concerns and take swift action to avoid a bad situation becoming even worse.”

The Big Listen 

Local Authorities across London have supported research, led by ( [link removed] )London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), to improve their understanding of how they can better support children’s social workers working in the region.

As part of this work, the LIIA has recently launched the #BigListen as an opportunity for all children's social workers in London to be heard in helping London’s regional response to improving the working environment.

Each of the #BigListen online focus groups will include up to 45 children's social workers practicing in London and will run from 24 November to 1 December. If you would like to participate ( [link removed] )you can find out more and register to attend here. ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Information from the focus groups will be used by the 33 London Local Authorities and the 19 Authorities in the South East in partnership to develop a deeper understanding of how they can improve the workplace for children’s social workers.

The LIIA is the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS) sector-led improvement partnership and is hosted by London Councils.

Data ethics in London

The data boroughs collect and/or hold can be one of their most valuable assets - used intelligently, it can help them make better decisions, drive service improvements and better serve their residents. However, boroughs are acutely aware of the need to use data not just legally but also ethically, transparently and in a way that is worthy of their residents’ trust.

To help develop these tools and processes in local government, the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) - a coalition of the GLA, London Councils and boroughs who want to work together to bring the best of digital, data and innovation to improve public services for Londoners - have created a hands-on London Data Ethics Service. ( [link removed] )Boroughs can learn more about the Data Ethics Service on the LOTI website here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

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In the news..

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Jeremy Hunt will rely on council tax rises to pay social care bill
( [link removed] )The Times ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Benefits of high energy prices vary between London authorities
( [link removed] )Let's Recycle ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Libraries fear cuts despite new ‘warm space’ status
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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LOTI crowdsources content for a council digital strategy
( [link removed] )UKAuthority ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Cost of reforms is 'elephant in the room'
The MJ ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Support for Ukraine ( [link removed] )

Covid data and advice ( [link removed] )

( [link removed] )You can now also follow London Councils  ( [link removed] )
on Instagram  ( [link removed] )

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

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [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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