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The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.

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Row of children's legs in wellington boots

LGA statement: Resolution Foundation report on high housing costs and child poverty

“Tackling high housing costs to keep children and families out of poverty should be an absolute priority in the Government’s upcoming strategy, as this report demonstrates."

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Ofsted Annual Report – LGA response

“This report rightly highlights the key challenges facing education and children’s social care."

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LGA statement on NSPCC and UNICEF report on access to early childhood services

“Midwives, health visitors and Family Hubs all have a vital part to play in supporting families with children, including for early years, as this report states."

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Youth services ‘under threat’ without government funding – LGA

Two thirds of councils have not increased spending on youth services in the past five years, according to a new survey by the Local Government Association, highlighting the need for fresh investment in local grass-roots provision for young people.

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Colourful canteen meals

LGA statement on EPI report on tackling food poverty in early years

“As this report recommends, the Government should consider introducing automatic enrolment for free school meals and expanding eligibility to tackle growing disparities, including for the Healthy Start scheme."

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Row of children's legs in wellington boots

Thousands more children’s social workers needed over next 10 years – new LGA research

The number of children’s social workers employed by councils will need to increase by 13,000 - nearly a third - over the next decade as a result of growing need for the care and support of children and young people and to reduce increasing reliance on agency staff, new research by the Local Government Association forecasts today.

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two children running to get a red balloon in a park

Children in care figures – LGA calls for ‘urgent’ funding for children’s services

Latest figures released today show there are 83,630 children in the care of councils. The number of looked after children as of 31 March 2024 is 4.5 per cent higher than in 2020, according to annual Department for Education figures published this morning.

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An array of buildings lit up in a shade of blue to celebrate Care leavers week

Care leavers should not have to pay council tax – LGA

Care leavers should be exempt from paying for council tax, prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and optician costs, to help prevent them from falling into financial hardship when they leave care and support their transition to independence.

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Over 600 child protection investigations carried out by councils every day – LGA calls for ‘emergency funding’ in Budget

The number of investigations carried out by councils where a child is believed to be at risk of harm now amounts to on average over 600 every day, according to latest figures, showing why it is vital children’s social care is given emergency funding in the Autumn Budget.

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Young children playing together in nursery

Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over last decade despite costs trebling, new independent report reveals

Educational attainment amongst children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has not improved since the introduction of landmark reforms in 2014, despite councils projected to be spending £12bn on these services by 2026, up from £4bn a decade ago.

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