Most recent press releases

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• Chancellor's business support announcement

  London Councils' response to the Chancellor's announcement extending support for businesses affected by measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic

• Covid-19 triggers 219% increase in demand for local welfare assistance in London

  The figures reveal the highest jump in requests for financial help ever recorded by councils in the capital.  

• 'A hugely disappointing development' - London Councils responds to spending review announcement

  Boroughs highlight the growing crisis in local government budgets. 

• London moving to Local Covid-19 Level ‘High’

  The London boroughs stand together with Londoners in the fight against Covid-19.

• New London Councils Chair targets top priorities

  Coronavirus, council finances and London’s social and economic recovery are the three top priorities of London Councils’ new Chair, Cllr Georgia Gould.

• Significant increase in air pollution awareness in London - new poll

  Nine out of 10 Londoners that agreed the capital’s air quality changed during lockdown thought this was a positive change, and there is increasing awareness that air pollution must be dealt with, new polling commissioned by London Councils reveals. 

• First modular homes unveiled for innovative pan-London homelessness scheme

  The first batch of modular homes designed as accommodation for homeless Londoners has been assembled on a test site in Tower Hamlets.

• London added to national COVID-19 watchlist

  A statement from London Councils on London being added to the national watchlist as an area of concern due to increased coronavirus rates.

• "Continued interventions are needed to keep Londoners in work” - London Councils’ response to the Winter Economy Plan

  London Councils responds to the Chancellor's Winter Economy Plan statement. 

• London Councils warns of £1.4bn funding gap threat to post-Covid renewal

  London boroughs are calling on the government to recognise their crucial role in rebuilding the economy and provide “desperately needed” stability.

• Work with us to boost London testing system, boroughs urge

  London Councils is urging government to boost capacity in London’s coronavirus testing system.

• ‘Confirm business rate holiday extensions to protect jobs’, Mayor of London and London Councils urge Government

  The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and London Councils have joined together to urge the Government to extend the business rates holiday and help protect thousands of jobs in London and across the country, as the capital’s economy continues to struggle from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• London boroughs welcome rough sleeper support, while highlighting uncertainty over long-term funding

  London Councils has welcomed the government’s allocation of funding to ensure rough sleepers housed in emergency accommodation during the pandemic do not return to the streets.

• London Borough Apprenticeship Awards celebrate community heroes

  London Councils is delighted to announce the winners of the 2020 London Borough Apprenticeship Awards, which celebrate the exceptional impact apprentices have across local government in London. 

   

  These awards also recognise London boroughs’ dedication to creating apprenticeship opportunities, providing local jobs and training for local people.

   

• London boroughs call for further action to boost affordable housing

  London Councils responds to the latest details of the government's Affordable Homes Programme. 

• John O’Brien to step down next April

  London Councils' Chief Executive, John O’Brien, has decided to step down from his role in April 2021.

• Illegal tobacco ‘threatens London’s crucial Covid-19 stop smoking efforts’

  London’s trading standards and public health experts are warning of the dangers of illegal tobacco.

• Over 100 digital apprentices recruited across London boroughs

  The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) has successfully exceeded its target of recruiting 100 digital apprentices in its member boroughs by September 2020. 

• Boroughs braced for ‘avalanche of evictions’ and ‘homelessness spike’

  Many thousands of Londoners are struggling to pay their rent. 

• London boroughs triple apprenticeship opportunities

  London boroughs are proudly championing apprentices with a 14 per cent increase in the number of apprenticeships created directly by boroughs this year, according to new data released by London Councils.

  The total number of apprentices employed by boroughs continues to rise each year. Between April 2019 and March 2020, London boroughs generated a total of 3,693 apprenticeships. Of these, 1,772 apprentices were directly employed by boroughs, a 14 per cent increase on the previous year. This is almost three times the amount generated in 2016-17. 

• Boroughs warn of £1.4bn funding gap due to pandemic pressures

  London Councils has analysed the boroughs’ latest financial data.

• London Councils opposes ‘potentially disastrous’ planning changes

  Boroughs have major concerns about the implications of the government's planning white paper.

• Keep London Safe launches today

  The Keep London Safe campaign has been designed to reach communities across the capital by sharing key national public health messages around COVID-19 after a poll showed 46 per cent of Londoners don’t know how to get a test.

• “Now is the time to lay the foundations needed to achieve our climate goals” London Councils champions a green recovery from Covid-19

  Eight proposals for tackling the climate emergency and safeguarding London’s environmental future have been unanimously agreed by London Councils’ Leaders Committee.

  London must prioritise the climate emergency as part of a green, sustainable and inclusive recovery from Covid-19, London Councils Leaders’ Committee heard last week. This will lead to economic and environmental benefits that will help tackle health issues and inequalities.  

• ‘Serious flaw’ in Universal Credit worsens council tenants’ debts, new research shows

  New research shows the roll-out of Universal Credit is leading to a growing number of council tenants falling behind on rent payment.

• Draft Building Safety Bill a 'positive step', but boroughs have 'remaining concerns'

  The government has published its draft Building Safety Bill. 

• London boroughs are innovating to provide active travel options for Londoners

  London boroughs are transforming their public spaces across the capital to provide more opportunities for people to walk and cycle safely.
  
  Many boroughs responded to the challenges set in motion by the coronavirus pandemic by introducing emergency measures to support people who need to walk or cycle for essential journeys. These new measures have continued and expanded to meet the positive demand from more people for alternative travel options. 
  
  

• Pandemic shows digital and innovation is ‘more important than ever’, say London boroughs

  While marking the first anniversary of the London Office of Technology and Innovation, London Councils has highlighted the need for faster adoption of digital and data to support the capital's recovery. 

• "A good start" - London Councils' response to the Chancellor's statement

  Yesterday’s statement from the Chancellor was a good start with initiatives to help businesses, support those out of work back into the jobs market and investment that acknowledges the need for a green-led economic recovery.

• New coronavirus funding package "wholly inadequate"

  Disappointed response from Cllr Peter John, Chair of London Councils, to the latest coronavirus funding package for local authorities.

• 'Disappointing "new deal" if no new money available for affordable homes' - London Councils responds to the prime minister's speech

  London Councils has responded to the prime minister’s announcements on housing and infrastructure.

• Boroughs support the safe reopening of London’s high streets

  London Councils is calling on Londoners to continue their support for local businesses and high streets when the phased reopening of non-essential retail outlets starts from 15th June.

  Public health is the biggest priority, which is why London boroughs have been working with local businesses to ensure their shops are safe to reopen for staff and customers.

• 'We can't afford penny pinching on fire safety'

  London Councils responds to a parliamentary committee's report on fire safety costs.

• London Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses calls on landlords to “do the right thing”

  As London’s businesses start to reopen, London Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are asking commercial landlords to do the right thing for their struggling tenants in these challenging times to support London’s economy.

  With many businesses facing rent bills at the end of June, the FSB and London Councils are asking landlords to ensure business tenants get a fair deal on their rental payment that works for both parties and enables businesses to continue operating. 

• ‘No return to business as usual on homelessness’ say London boroughs

  London Councils calls for further action on homelessness, as it revealed boroughs are spending an extra £50 million on homelessness and rough sleeping due to Covid-19.

• Covid-19 health risk disparities are 'unacceptable'

  London Councils responds to Public Health England's review of Covid-19's impact. 

• New supported accommodation for rough sleepers - London Councils' response

  London Councils' response to government refocusing homelessness support funding to provide new supported accommodation for rough sleepers.

• London Councils supports parliamentary committee’s call on ‘golden opportunity to end rough sleeping’

  A select committee report warns that successful efforts to tackle rough sleeping during Covid-19 "risk being squandered".

• Boroughs secure PPE boost to protect vulnerable Londoners

  A new pan-London partnership will help boroughs secure emergency supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care homes and other crucial local services on the Covid-19 frontline.

• London boroughs call for ‘urgent clarity’ on rough sleeping next steps

  London Councils has been assured by government officials that there are no immediate changes to national policy on rough sleeping, which has seen boroughs and their partners secure emergency accommodation for around 4,000 rough sleepers in the capital in response to Covid-19. No-one receiving this support is being asked to leave their accommodation at this time.

• London boroughs and the public must work together to keep parks and green spaces open to all

  As some lockdown restrictions are lifted in parks and green spaces, London boroughs are working closely with partners to ensure people can enjoy London’s world-renowned open spaces safely. 

• Reopening of London's household waste and recycling centres

  London boroughs are making plans to reopen household waste and recycling centres as soon as possible, with the majority aiming to reopen sites from Monday 11 May.

• Evidence of Covid-19’s ‘disproportionate impact’ on BAME Londoners must prompt new action on health inequalities, says London Councils

  London Councils, the cross-party group representing the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, says the emerging data highlights the critical need to reduce health inequalities in the capital.

• Almost three quarters of funding distributed to London’s small businesses

  To date, London businesses have received a higher share of funding paid than those outside the capital (73.6% share of funding paid so far in comparison to the UK average of 69.8%). 

• Boroughs warn of coronavirus threat to ‘cherished London businesses’ unless government boosts support

  Boroughs have delivered an additional £215m in support to London’s small businesses in the past week, but are concerned that the threshold set by the government means other businesses aren’t receiving the support they need. 

• Londoners warned over scams from ‘coronavirus crooks’

  Boroughs and their trading standards teams have highlighted the continuing risk of unscrupulous criminals exploiting fears about Covid-19.

• Over 800 people register to provide care to vulnerable people across London boroughs

  A new social care recruitment campaign, Proud to Care London, has received over 800 registrations from people across the capital who are keen to ensure vulnerable Londoners affected by the coronavirus pandemic receive the care and support they need.

• Boroughs unveil Taxicard changes to support Londoners with disabilities during Covid-19

  The measures will enable Taxicard members to make more use of the scheme during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown. 

• Boroughs "working incredibly hard" to distribute business grants

  In just a few weeks, London boroughs have distributed 52 per cent of allocated grant funding to businesses, representing about 56,000 individual grants.

• Tackling London poverty will be 'essential' to economic recovery

  London Councils makes clear that the Covid-19 crisis can't be a distraction from the crucial agenda of reducing poverty and promoting opportunity. 

• Borough resources 'under unprecedented strain' - London Councils responds to government funding announcement

  London Councils welcomes the latest instalment of government funding, while highlighting the ongoing pressures to council budgets. 

• National Primary Offer Day 2020 - 97% get a preferred school place

  Overall, 94,477 London children due to start primary school this September received an offer of a school place at one of their preferred schools - 97 per cent of the total number of applicants.

• #Proudtocare – recruitment drive to step-up social care support in London

  London boroughs are recruiting additional social care workers to provide essential care in their communities to vulnerable and elderly residents, including those recovering from coronavirus.

• 'Stay at home this weekend to help save lives.'

  Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, Londoners are urged to stay at home to limit the spread of coronavirus.

• London school and social work ‘superstars’ supporting vulnerable children during pandemic

   Children's services across the capital have rapidly adapted to the challenges posed by Covid-19 and maintained support for those most in need.

• Boroughs praise ‘sterling work’ of Londoners stepping up to support the vulnerable

  Frontline social care staff and volunteers are making a crucial difference across the capital. 

• Stay home despite sunny weekend, London Councils urge

  London Councils and London boroughs are urging residents to follow official advice on reducing the impact of coronavirus by staying home as much as possible this weekend, despite the warm weather.

• Council car parks free to use for NHS and social care workers

  London Councils has confirmed that council-run parking in the capital will be free for key frontline staff including NHS and social care workers.

• Common-sense approach to parking enforcement endorsed by London Councils

  London boroughs have today agreed a common-sense approach to issuing parking and driving fines in order to help critical workers such as NHS staff, carers and the emergency services travel in the capital. 

• 'Raising Local Housing Allowance is a big step forward in preventing homelessness'

  London Councils welcomes the government's emergency measures on housing benefit in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

• Coronavirus school closures - “London boroughs will do all they can to support local schools and families"

  London Councils' response to government's announcement of widespread school closures to manage the impact of coronavirus.

• London needs further action to avoid coronavirus spike in homelessness

  Boroughs call for 'bold and decisive' action to address housing insecurity. 

• ‘Boroughs stand by our civil society partners’

  London Councils declares support for grant recipients during coronavirus challenge.

• London Lorry Control Scheme suspends enforcement

  London Councils is suspending enforcement of the London Lorry Control Scheme with immediate effect to help the freight and logistics industry cope with increasing pressures and demands from the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus.

• ‘Businesses need urgent support to survive unprecedented challenges’

  London Councils calls for government intervention to support businesses through the impact of COVID-19. 

• ‘A major boost to our efforts to end HIV in the capital’

  London Councils welcomes the government decision to fund the routine commissioning of PrEP. 

• Budget reaction from London Councils - "it needed to go further"

  A comprehensive response from the Chair of London Councils, Cllr Peter John OBE.

• 'The government has listened to many of our housing concerns, but today's Budget hasn't delivered everything we'd hoped'

  London Councils responds to the housing measures set out in the Budget. 

• London seeks boost to post-Brexit support for local economies across UK

  London Councils has spearheaded a joint letter to the Chancellor calling for an increase to “overall national funding” for local economic growth. 

• Boroughs need Budget freedoms to help homeless Londoners

  London boroughs are calling on the Chancellor to give councils more freedom to use their powers to end London’s housing crisis by building more homes.

• 'The Budget must boost funding for local homelessness services'

  London Councils responds to new research from Crisis on the impact of the Homelessness Reduction Act and pressures on local services. 

• Budget must “prioritise the environment”, coalition warns

  The new Chancellor must grasp this “vital opportunity” to prioritise the environment in his first Budget by committing to help councils reduce carbon emissions at scale, a new coalition of local government and green groups has urged.

• ‘We need levelling up within regions as well as between them’

  London Councils has responded to a think-tank report on redirecting funding away from the capital.

• National Secondary Offer Day in London: 94 per cent get preferred school place

  94 per cent of children due to start secondary school in London this September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools, according to figures released on National Secondary School Offer Day by the Pan London Admissions Board.

• 'Reducing homelessness requires action on a broader policy front' - London Councils' response to rough sleeping announcement

  London Councils has responded to a government announcement on rough sleeping. 

• Urgent help needed for London’s jobless young people

  Young people from a disadvantaged background in London are not getting the support they need to succeed in the capital’s thriving jobs market, according to a ground-breaking report, The Employment Gap in London, from London Councils and Impetus, published today.

• Boroughs set out priorities for new Mayor of London

  London Councils has published its plan for working with whoever wins the upcoming Mayoral election on the key challenges facing the capital. 

• London boroughs drive forward coordinated approach to car clubs

  London Councils is supporting pan-London collaboration on car clubs policy. 

• Response to British Red Cross and LSE report on support for refugees

  A report published today by the British Red Cross and London School of Economics and Political Science found that simple changes to asylum policy could benefit the UK economy by £7 million each year.

• ‘London is open for business’ – boroughs seek investment bringing benefits to Londoners

  Boroughs have launched the third annual Guide to Development in the City of Opportunity, setting out visions for development in their local areas. 

• Influential group of urban authorities call for devolution to end 'hand-outs from Whitehall'

  Councils from the UK’s major cities and city regions have joined forces to call for radical devolution from Whitehall to enable them to ‘level up’ growth across the whole of the UK. 

• 'London has among the highest poverty rates in the UK' - London Councils responds to JRF poverty report

  The major new report from the JRF shows the high levels of deprivation in the capital. 

• London’s micro businesses “punching above their weight”

  London’s micro businesses are a force to be reckoned with, a new report commissioned by London Councils from the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) shows.

• ‘Londoners deserve GP surgeries fit for the 21st century’ – Councils call for greater say in improving primary care premises

  Borough leaders want closer involvement in decision-making over investment in primary care infrastructure.

• ‘One in 50’ London homes potentially used as short-term let

  New research from London Councils shows 73,549 listings for London homes on digital platforms such as Airbnb - raising fresh concerns about the impact on housing stock and communities. 

• Build on the Settlement to empower London’s councils

  London Councils is calling on MHCLG and the Treasury to build on the most positive Local Government Finance Settlement in a decade by tackling long-term funding issues that are holding London boroughs back.

• 'Boroughs have long called for stronger safety regulation' - London Councils responds to government announcement on building safety

  London Councils welcomes the govenrment moving forward with new measures on building safety, but highlights ongoing concerns. 

• New data shows London ‘leads the way’ on HIV prevention

  London Councils welcomes new report from Public Health England. 

• Invest in ‘bobbies on the beat’, London boroughs urge

  London Councils is calling on Government and the Metropolitan Police to invest in local neighbourhood policing, which plays a vital role in tackling crime.

• Stop Smoking London needs your help to get London quitting this New Year

  A pan-London health campaign is asking people to encourage their smoking friends and family to quit for the New Year.

• Low-income Londoners face 'unbridgeable gap' between rent and housing benefit

  London Councils responds to new research from the charity Crisis on housing costs and the impact on family finances.