Briefings and responses

LGA response to Tribunal Procedure Committee consultation on possible amendments to the Tribunal Procedure (first-tier tribunal) (Health Education and Social Care Chamber) rules 2008 regarding proposed changes to whether special educational needs appeals can be dealt with on the papers without the consent of both parties.

The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill amends the non-domestic rating system in England to enable the introduction of new multipliers (i.e. tax rates).

The LGA welcomes the introduction of a Bill to establish a register of children not in schools. This is a vital measure to allow councils to verify that children are receiving a suitable education in a safe environment.

The purpose of this consultation was to seek views on whether eligibility for Healthy Start should be extended further to include others who do not have access to public funds.

Councils aspire to help create a truly inclusive education system, and urgently want to improve support and transform outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.

We want to work with the Government to deliver a fundamental shift towards prevention across all services and policymaking, that reinvests in vital community services and rolls out evidence-based interventions at pace.

Councils and combined authorities have an important and wide-reaching role in the skills system and their local economy. They are committed to working in partnership with their local employer base and further education sector to create a Post-16 education offer that works for businesses and gives every young person the chance to gain world class skills.

The LGA welcomes investment in training and support for all kinship carers, and hope that the lessons learnt from piloting Family Network Support Packages will be swiftly shared. It will be important for the national kinship strategy to also recognise the role of partners in supporting kinship arrangements.

The Local Government Association responded to Ofsted's 'big listen' consultation in March 2024.

Healthy Start is an NHS scheme that provides additional cash support to the lowest-income families with children under 4 years old, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, to buy milk, fruits, vegetables, pulses, and vitamins. Money is provided to families on a pre-paid card that can only be spent on authorised items.