Press releases from 2017

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• Council tax increase ‘wholly inadequate’ response to London’s needs

  London Councils' response to the 2017 Local Government Finance Settlement.

• Fully fund services to address homelessness in London

  London Councils is calling on central Government to enable London boroughs to boost their homelessness prevention and support services via the Homelessness Reduction Act.

• London schools and colleges are driving social mobility, study shows

  For the first time the number of London students in higher education whose parents did not go to university has overtaken those whose parents did go to university

• London's boroughs are creating a lasting cultural legacy

  London is at the nation's heart of arts and culture and London boroughs actively strengthen the capital's position as a leader of innovation in this sector, however boroughs' ability to promote the arts face significant challenges.

• Autumn Budget 2017 - Universal Credit

  London Councils' response to announcements on changes to Universal Credit in the Autumn Budget 2017.

• Autumn Budget 2017 - housing announcements

  London Councils’ response to announcements related to housing in the Autumn Budget 2017.

• Autumn Budget 2017 - London welcomes further business rates devolution

  The Autumn Budget 2017 confirmed an agreement between London local government and the Treasury, to retain more of the money the capital’s businesses pay in business rates.

• Landmark devolution deal to improve health and care across the capital

  A ground-breaking devolution deal that will lead to improvements in health and care in London

• Autumn Budget must strengthen London’s local services

  Ahead of the Autumn Budget, London Councils is renewing calls for essential local services to be properly funded to pave the way for long-term reform of council finances.

• Headteachers' march to Downing Street - London Councils statement

  Around 5,000 headteachers from across the country are marching on Downing Street today to deliver a letter to the Chancellor calling for more funding for schools. 

• Do It London shortlisted for prestigious Campaign of the Year award

  London’s ground-breaking HIV prevention campaign, Do It London, is one-of-six campaigns that have been shortlisted across the UK for the Campaign of the Year category at the distinguished LGC Awards 2018.

• Shelter report on homelessness - London Councils statement

  London Councils' response to the publication of Shelter's latest report, 'Far from alone: Homelessness in Britain in 2017'.

• Asylum-seeking children in London a year on from the closure of the Calais ‘Jungle’

  There are currently 1,540 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the capital – an increase of 75% from 2013.  A year on from the closure of the Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp updated figures for 2017 show that there are 4,560 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children across England as a whole.

• London parents increasingly stumping up cash to support schools

  London schools are requesting financial contributions from parents to ease the pressure on squeezed school budgets, a new survey commissioned by London Councils has revealed.

• London APPG highlights infrastructure priorities for London

  At the APPG for London Autumn Reception, London MPs welcomed comments by National Infrastructure Commission Chair, Lord Andrew Adonis, setting out his vision for London’s infrastructure.

• Boroughs successfully seize over 21,000 illegal tobacco products in London-wide raids

  Over 21,000 illegal tobacco products have been seized in a series of raids across 11 London boroughs, in a campaign led by London Councils and London Trading Standards in partnership with public health professionals.

• Parking and traffic contraventions increase in London

  The total number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued by boroughs and Transport for London (TfL) in 2016-17 was 10 per cent higher than last year, statistics published by London Councils show.

• Written Ministerial Statement on Homelessness - London Councils' response

  London Councils' response to a Written Ministerial Statement from government on the Homelessness Reduction Act.

• Nearly half of Londoners say that poor air quality is harming their health

  Londoners are increasingly concerned about the impact of air pollution on their health, new polling data shows, with a greater proportion of respondents saying that air quality affects the daily decisions they make.

• ‘Alarming’ £100 million funding gap in London’s special educational needs budget

  Analysis by London Councils reveals that the government is not providing sufficient funding for children and young people in London with special educational needs and disabilities

• New joint pledge to nurture London’s arts and culture

  London Councils and Arts Council England have heralded a new era in their support for arts and culture in London by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

• Statement on £2 billion investment in affordable housing

  Response from London Councils to Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement of an additional £2 billion investment in affordable housing.

• Statement on Universal Credit rollout

  London Councils' response to the Work and Pensions Secretary's confirmation that the rollout of Universal Credit is going ahead.

• 63% funding reduction is taking its toll, warns London Councils

  Ahead of the Autumn Budget 2017, London Councils is warning that an increasing number of local services are on the critical list due to growing demand from residents and inadequate funding from central Government.

• Apprentices awarded for their outstanding work in local government

  London’s best and brightest apprentices have been honoured for their invaluable contributions to local government at the London Borough Apprenticeship Awards 2017.

• Extra £1bn needed to address London’s school places shortfall

  More than 36,000 additional secondary school places must be created to ensure young Londoners get the top-quality education they deserve, according to London Councils’ Do The Maths report.  

• “Do it your way” - new HIV prevention campaign launches in London

  London boroughs have launched a new phase of their groundbreaking HIV prevention campaign, known as Do It London. 

• Analysis of London Borough Apprenticeship data 2016-17

  London Councils has published data that reveals the increase in apprenticeships in London has increased for the sixth year in a row, with comment from Cllr Peter John, Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive member for Business, Skills and Brexit.

• London Councils statement on GCSE results 2017

  Cllr Peter John OBE, Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive member with responsibility for schools, comments on GCSE results day 2017.

• Statement on A levels results day 2017

  Cllr Peter John OBE, Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive member with responsibility for schools, comments on A level results 2017.

• Comment on the Government's air quality strategy

  Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, comments on the Government's air quality strategy.

• Comment on the local government minster's criticism of councils over business rates revaluations

  Cllr Claire Kober, Chair of London Councils, comment on Marcus Jones’ criticism of local authorities over business rates revaluations.

• New London local business survey launched

  Increasing transport and housing costs mean businesses in London face stiff challenges in recruiting and retaining staff - a unique new survey revealed today.

• School funding update - London Councils statement

  London Councils' response to Justine Greening's announcement on education funding.

• Cllr Claire Kober re-elected as Chair of London Councils

  Cllr Claire Kober has been re-elected as Chair at London Councils’ Annual General Meeting this week. Cllr Peter John was re-elected as Deputy Chair.

• London Councils responds to the Fawcett Society's 'Does local government work for women?' report

  Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, responds to the Fawcett Society's 'Does local government work for women?' report.

• £5.6 billion needed to protect school budgets in real terms

  Schools across the country are facing a £1.6 billion funding shortfall over the next five years, according to figures published today by London Councils, which represents the 32 London boroughs and the City of London. 

• London unites to stamp out illegal tobacco

  A new campaign has been launched by London Councils, London Trading Standards and public health professionals across the capital to stamp out illegal tobacco.

• Patchy and inconsistent skills system is not fit for post-Brexit world, new APPG for London report says

  A radical overhaul of the skills system across the UK is needed if businesses are to avoid the negative effects of Brexit, a new report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for London warns.

  The study looks at the challenges facing organisations in the capital as they seek to recruit employees with the right skills to do the job.

• Supporting the response to the Grenfell tragedy

  London’s boroughs have mobilised hundreds of staff in support of the joint effort to help meet the needs of those affected by the devastating tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire.

• Help London employers to boost work experience opportunities

  One third of London businesses currently offer work experience opportunities to young people

• Empower councils to improve air quality

  The new national Air Quality Plan must go further by tackling pollution at a national level and empowering local authorities to play their part in improving air quality, according to London Councils.

• Head teachers speak out on London’s school funding crisis

  London head teachers are grappling with a funding crisis that will damage the quality of education schools can provide, research commissioned by London Councils has revealed.

• Queen's Speech statement: Local government finance reforms

  Cllr Claire Kober, OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:

• Statement about support from councils across London following the Grenfell Tower fire

  Councils across London are providing support to the team working on recovery efforts following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.

• Statement from Grenfell Fire Response Team

  Statement by Eleanor Kelly, Chief Executive of Southwark Council, on behalf of the newly established Grenfell Fire Response Team.

• Our statement on Grenfell tower

  Statement from Claire Kober, Chair of London Councils

• London Lorry Control Scheme review makes positive recommendations

  Recommendations for improvements to the London Lorry Control Scheme have been agreed by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (TEC).

• Statement on the Manchester attack

  Cllr Claire Kober, OBE, Chair of London Councils, comments on the Manchester attack.

• National Primary Offer Day 2017 - London figures

  97 per cent of children due to start primary school in London in September 2017 have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

• London Councils statement - IPPR report on childcare in London

  London Councils' comment on the IPPR's report on childcare in London, published on 10 April 2017.

• London Councils statement - free school sites in London

  London Councils has commented on data on acquiring free school sites in London.

• Doubts over impact of apprenticeship levy

  Flaws in the apprenticeship levy, which came into force on 6 April 2017, could affect its ability to increase the number of new apprenticeships created.

• Boroughs praised for promoting small business

  The pivotal role played by London boroughs in supporting and promoting the capital’s small businesses was highlighted this week at the Small Business Friendly Borough Awards.

  Now in its fourth year, the Small Business Friendly Borough Awards is run by London Councils, which represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London, and the London region of the Federation of Small Businesses. The awards give councils well-deserved recognition for effective and imaginative schemes that encourage local entrepreneurship.

• Shortlist of councils up for Small Business Friendly Borough award revealed after record number of entries

  London Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses have announced the shortlist for the fourth Small Business Friendly Borough Awards, aiming to showcase councils in the capital that go the extra mile for small businesses. 

  The awards, now in their fourth year, provide a platform for London’s 33 local authorities, including the City of London, to highlight their business-friendly policies and procedures.

  The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Kingsway Hall Hotel on Thursday, March 30.

  The shortlisted boroughs are:

• Team of flood fighting experts appointed to reduce risk to London households

  A TEAM of experts has been appointed to help protect households across London from flooding.  

  Set up with funding from the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and support from London Councils, the new Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) Project Advisor Team will work with boroughs to develop new flood risk management schemes.

  The team of five officers and a project leader will also help councils deliver their existing schemes and help them to secure further funding to better protect communities from the devastating effects of flooding. 

• Pupils negatively affected by school budget reductions, according to London Councils' research

  London Councils has submitted its response to the second stage of the National Funding Formula for schools consultation and published initial findings from a survey of headteachers.

• Have your say on reductions to London schools' funding

  London Councils is urging Londoners to have their say on government proposals to change the way schools are funded, before time runs out.

• Budget 2017: Education funding statement

  Cllr Peter John OBE, Deputy Chair of London Councils and executive member with responsibility for education, comments on the education funding annoucements in the Budget.

• Budget 2017: Social care statement

  Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE, London Councils’ executive member for adult social care, comments on the social care funding announcement in the Budget

• Budget 2017: London Government – the Mayor and boroughs – receives further devolved power from Government

  Commenting on the new Memorandum of Understanding on further devolution to London, Cllr Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:

• Retaining Right To Buy receipts and cutting red tape could give London boroughs an extra £470m to spend on housebuilding

  Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing, comments on the Government's consultation on capital finances regulations for local government.

   

• Workshop to help shape London Lorry Control Scheme’s future

  The freight and haulage industry is being invited to contribute to the London Lorry Control Scheme review at a dedicated Operators’ Workshop.

• National Secondary School Offer Day 2017

  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 by the Pan London Admissions Board.

• Family homelessness in London rising at a faster rate than across England

  Family homelessness in London is rising at a faster rate than across England, with councils struggling to provide temporary accommodation, according to research from EY and London Councils. 

  The demand on temporary accommodation is particularly severe in London where the increase in the number of families accepted as homeless has increased by 51% compared with the national equivalent of 15% since 2011.

• Search begins for providers to deliver Work and Health programme in London

  A programme which will drive forward the devolution agenda in London has taken another step forward, as the search begins for providers to deliver the Work and Health programme. 

  Over 100 providers gathered at the Drum in Wembley today (Thursday), to hear more about the scheme, which will help disabled people and the long-term unemployed into work. This follows another market engagement event at City Hall last week which also attracted over 100 organisations.

• Statement - NAO report on capital funding for schools

  London Councils' response to the National Audit Office's report on schools capital funding, which was published on Wednesday 22 February 2017.

• London Councils' response to Local Government Finance Settlement

  Cllr Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, comments on the final Local Government Finance Settlement.

• Cities fear school funding cuts will hinder growth

  London Councils and Core Cities UK have written a joint letter to Justine Greening MP regarding the damage school funding cuts could do to city growth and development.

• Valentine’s Day daters urged to stay safe with London Councils safety app

  Londoners venturing into the dating world this Valentine’s Day are being urged to stay safe by downloading a new London Councils safety app.

  Circle, a universal safety app that can be downloaded free on both Apple and Android phones, allows users to create a network of contacts who can be called on for help in difficult or potentially awkward situations.  

  Pioneered by YouTube star Hannah Witton, it was developed as part of the London Ventures portfolio of products by Xantura with support from women’s charities.

• London Councils statement: Dubs Amendment

  Responding to Government's announcement on ending its commitment to the Dubs Amendment, Cllr Claire Kober, chair of London Councils, said: 

  “It is deeply disappointing that Government has chosen to end its commitment to the Dubs Amendment after such a short period of time.  

  “Councils in London have stepped up and taken responsibility in this very real humanitarian crisis, with an estimated one in three of the total number of children who arrived in the UK as a result of the Dubs Amendment having been settled in the capital already. 

• London Councils statement on Housing White Paper

  Responding the the publication of the Government's Housing White Paper, Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils' executive member for housing, said:

  “The UK has not been building enough homes to properly house its population for many years. This negatively impacts the quality of life for everyone, on the aspirations of young people in particular and on businesses.

  “In London alone we now have 50,000 households in temporary accommodation and have seen consistent increases- laying bare the full impact of welfare reform coupled with a housing supply crisis.

• London MPs meet to discuss impact of schools funding proposals

  London MPs will meet today (February 7) to consider the impact of the government’s proposed National Funding Formula (NFF) and wider cost pressures on the capital’s schools. 

  The APPG for London will host an expert panel of speakers in the House of Commons who will give MPs a range of perspectives on the challenges faced by London’s schools and the vital importance of maintaining good standards of education. 

  Speakers include: 

• London Councils releases new guidance for tracking gang members

  London Councils has released new guidance for boroughs to help track gang members across the capital.

  The London Gang Member Referral Guide offers councils advice on tackling gang violence, keeping communities safe and supporting gang members who want to turn their lives around.

• Significant step in devolution call after Work and Health Programme budget is transferred to London

  Another significant step along the road to devolution took place today, with Whitehall officially passing the budget for the Work and Health Programme to London boroughs.

  The funding – which amounts to up to £80 million over five years – will be used by councils to help the long-term unemployed and those with health conditions or disabilities enter the world of work in the capital. Additional funding of around £60 million will also be available through the European Social Fund, taking the total to £140 million.

• Programme to tackle London fraudsters launches in five boroughs

  Five London boroughs have launched a major crackdown on criminals defrauding London's councils out of millions of pounds.

  Camden, Ealing, Islington, Croydon and Southwark have begun piloting the London Counter Fraud Hub, a partnership between all boroughs in the capital to better target those responsible for unpaid council tax, illegal property letting and unpaid business rates.

  The hub, which is run with data analytics provided by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has the potential to save London tax payers £60 million a year on average. 

• School funding cuts could damage economic growth

  The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and London Councils are alerting the capital’s business community to the threat that funding cuts to London schools could pose to economic growth.

• London Councils statement on rough sleeping statistics

  Responding to the latest government statsitics on rough sleeping, Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils' executive member for housing, said: “These figures make stark reading, particularly the huge increase in the number of rough sleepers in the last five years.

  “Now is the time for Government to act – this worsening situation simply cannot be allowed to continue.  London Councils has made clear that pledge to fully fund a new homelessness reduction bill must be properly reviewed – costings must not be based on estimates and guesswork.  

• London Councils appoints contractor to drive forward Collaborative Delivery Vehicle for housing

  London Councils has appointed a contractor to help drive plans to improve and boost housing across the capital.

• Government slammed for failing to heed warnings on ‘unrealistic’ apprenticeship targets

  PLANS by Government to press ahead with “unrealistic” targets will see London boroughs put under pressure to increase their creation of apprenticeships by more than 570%.

  Ministers were today criticised for failing to heed warnings from London Councils by sticking to plans for a new Public Sector Apprenticeship Target, which have been branded unfair.

• Homelessness Reduction Bill: London Councils' response to funding announcement

  Responding to the Homelessness Reduction Bill funding announcement this week, Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing, said:

• Apply for your child's primary school place

  London Councils is reminding parents to ensure they apply for a primary school place for their child before the 15 January 2017 deadline.

• London Councils and Federation of Small Businesses launch fourth Small Business Friendly Borough Awards

  London Councils has once again teamed up with the Federation of Small Businesses to launch the fourth Small Business Friendly Borough Awards, aiming to showcase councils in the capital that go the extra mile for small businesses. 

  The awards, now in their fourth year, provide an excellent platform for London’s 33 local authorities, including the City of London, to highlight their business-friendly policies and procedures. The closing date for this year’s nominations is 10 February 2017.

• Londoners urged to eat, drink and recycle

  London Councils is reminding people across the capital to recycle throughout the festive season to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that ends up in landfill sites.

• Influential HIV prevention campaign tackles rising STIs in London

  London’s innovative HIV prevention campaign, Do It London, launches a new winter phase today, drawing attention to the steep rises in sexually transmitted infections in the capital in recent years. The campaign, which spans advertising across the transport network, print press, social media, radio and digital display, encourages Londoners to wrap up this winter by ‘doing it with a condom’. 

  Do It London is the campaigning arm of the London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP). This unique partnership of all 32 boroughs and the City of London is led on their behalf by Lambeth Council.