Press releases from 2016

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• Boroughs support rough sleepers during festive period as homelessness rates rise

  LONDON boroughs are stepping up efforts to tackle homelessness on the streets of the capital during the Christmas period.

  Government statistics show homelessness is rising between 5-9% on average across the country and during April, May and June local authorities in England accepted 15,170 households as statutorily homeless.

  Of these, 4,890 were in London – meaning the capital accounts for 32% of the England total and has also faced an 11% rise compared to the same period last year. 

• London Councils launches new free app to keep people safe during party season

  London Councils has launched a new free app, championed by YouTube star Hannah Witton, to help women stay safe on the streets of London over the festive party season.
   
  Called Circle, the app is aimed at women aged 18-30 and was created in consultation with a group of women’s charities, but can be used by any Londoner concerned about their personal safety whilst out and about in the capital.
   
  Circle has the motto “Live London Connected” and lets you stay connected to your nearest and dearest when out socialising in the city.
   
  

• More than 200 refugee children set to spend first Christmas in London

  HUNDREDS of refugee children will be spending their first Christmas in London after boroughs stepped in to offer safety when the Calais Jungle camp was dismantled.

  Councils across the capital have stepped up to offer sanctuary to scores of lone children eligible to come to the UK under the Dubs Amendment since October.

• Stand alongside hardworking London carers this Christmas

  London Councils is asking Londoners to do what they can to help isolated and lonely people living near them this Christmas. 

• Statement on the Local Government Finance Settlement

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

• Statement on House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on arts, culture and funding outside London

  Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for city development, said: 

  “London boroughs already spend more on culture than any other region in England, and investing in our thriving arts scene provides benefits to the whole country. Every year millions of tourists visit London and then go on to visit another part of the UK – boosting local economies around the country. 

• 70 per cent of London’s schools to face budget cuts over new funding formula, London Councils warns

  London Councils has warned that 70 per cent of schools (over 1,500) across the capital will face budget cuts if plans announced by Education Secretary Justine Greening today are brought into effect.

• Statement on the financial sustainability of schools

  Cllr Peter John OBE, Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive member with responsibility for education, comments on the National Audit Office's report on the financial sustainability of schools.

• Online apprenticeships game inspires young Londoners

  Young people in London are being inspired to consider pressing ‘start’ on a local government career thanks to an interactive online game commissioned by London Councils.

• UK’s first local government Collective Investment Vehicle celebrates year of successes

  London CIV, the collaborative venture established to pool investments of 33 London local authority pension funds is celebrating a year of success.

  Originally set up on a voluntary basis to enable the capital’s pension funds to work more closely together, it led the way for a much wider pooling of Local Government Pension Schemes across England and Wales under direction from central government and has reached its 12-month milestone.

• London boroughs ask what’s next for asylum-seeking children settled in capital since Calais camp was dismantled

  London boroughs are seeking answers from Government on what is next for more than 100 unaccompanied refugee children taken in since the Calais Jungle camp was dismantled. 

  Cllr Claire Kober OBE, chair of London Councils, wrote to Home Secretary Amber Rudd last month to offer help in settling children who are eligible to come to the UK under the Dubs Amendment, but received no reply from the minister.

• London Councils statement: Airbnb

  Responding to the announcement by Airbnb on changes which will ensure entire home listings in London cannot be shared for more than the legislated 90 days, unless hosts confirm they have the required planning permission, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing, said:

• Call for Londoners to help house Syrian refugees

  Cllr Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, called for Londoners to offer homes at Local Housing Allowance rates.

• Statement on adult social care

  Councillor Ray Puddifoot MBE, London Councils' executive member for adult social care, comments on the lack of social care announcement as part of the autumn statement.

• Chair of London Councils comments on devolution commitments as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

  Read the Chair of London Councils, Cllr Claire Kober OBE, comments on the announcements on devolution in the Autumn Statement

• London Councils statement on housing announcement in 2016 Autumn Statement

  Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing, said: "Today’s announcement is an extremely positive step in the right direction. London Councils has made clear there is a desperate need for thousands more homes, of a range of tenures, to be built.  This specific cash injection for affordable homes will allow the Mayor of London, boroughs and other partners to carry out and extend ambitious plans to properly tackle the capital’s housing crisis.

• London Councils statement: Pay To Stay

  Responding to the Government's decision to scrap Pay To Stay proposals, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils' executive member for housing, said:

  “London Councils welcomes the scrapping of the Pay To Stay proposals, which would have penalised many lower earners; there are approximately 790,000 households living in social rented properties in London.  We estimated about 28,000 of these would have been affected and faced huge levels of uncertainty as a result of this the legislation.

• London Councils statement: Affordable housing supply in England 2015 to 2016

  Responding to the latest statistics on affordable housing supply in England in 2015 to 2016, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils executive member for housing, said: 

• 'Urgent action' needed to avert a social care crisis in London

  Read London Councils, the London Association of Director of Adults Social Services (London ADASS) and the Society of London Treasurers joint letter to the Treasury highlighting pressures facing adult social care services.

• Statement - Court of Appeal ruling on commissioning PrEP

  London Councils' statement on the Court of Appeal's ruling, a judgement that confirms that NHS England can legally fund the HIV prevention drug PrEP.

• Parents see boroughs as a vital part of the London education model

  Findings from a 2016 YouGov poll of London parents commissioned by London Councils.

• Statement on the Homelessness Reduction Bill

  London Councils' executive member for housing, Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, comments on Homelessness Reduction Bill.

• Starting secondary school in September 2017? Apply now!

  Parents of children who are due to start secondary school in September 2017 are being urged to apply for places before the deadline of 31 October 2016.

• London councils stand ready to welcome over 100 unaccompanied refugee children

  Cllr Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, has written to the Home Secretary offering assistance in settling unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugees.

• Greater support for integration ‘urgently needed’

  London Councils is calling on government to help smooth the path towards further health and social care integration in London.

• Statement on dispute over the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) service

  We have issued a statement regarding POPLA.

• Statement on the Communities and Local Government Committee's report on the Homlessness Reduction Bill

  Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ Executive member for housing, comments on the CLG Committee's report on the Homelessness Reduction Bill.

• Boroughs want a say in sugary drinks industry levy spending

  London boroughs must be involved in decisions about how funding raised through the sugary drinks industry levy is spent in the capital.

• London local government funding gap expected to rise to £2bn by 2020

  London boroughs look set to face a huge £2bn funding gap by 2020 as a result of continuing cuts to local government funding.

• Nearly half of Londoners feel health has been affected by poor air quality, poll reveals

  New research by has shown that poor air quality is having a huge impact on Londoners' health.

• London Councils promises new commitment to business

  London Councils will have a renewed focus on business following a meeting of its Leaders' Committee

• New appointments at London Councils

  Following a meeting of London Councils' Leaders Committee, new appointments have been made to the Executive.

• MPs to discuss impact of airport expansion in London

  The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London met with the three scheme promoters shortlisted by the Airports Commission for expansion in London and the south-east. 

• Businesses challenged to offer young Londoners experience of work

  London Councils is challenging businesses across the capital to sign up to London Ambitions by offering young people more top-quality experiences of the world of work.

• London boroughs looking after a third of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in England, figures show

  London boroughs are looking after a third of children seeking asylum alone in England, new government figures show.

  There are currently 1,440 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the capital – an increase of 2% on last year and 5% since 2012.  Updated figures for 2016 show that across England as a whole there are 4,210 lone youngsters and more are expected to arrive in the coming months.

• Huge hike in business rates highlights need for devolution to London government

  If businesses and councils are to thrive, the capital must have a separate business rates system decoupled from the rest of the country, London Councils said today

• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards statistics for 2015/16

  London Councils' comment on the release of statistics on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Assessments (DoLS) in England for 2015/16.

• London boroughs strive to help those threatened with homelessness despite increasing pressures

  Councils across London have prevented or relieved nearly 30,000 cases of homelessness in the last financial year, according to new figures. 

• Leaders join forces to demand more power from Whitehall

  Cities across the country should have significant responsibilities devolved from Whitehall so they can stimulate growth, boost employment, improve housing and offer better value in delivering public services, city leaders from the north and south have said. 

  Speaking at a joint fringe event at the Labour Party’s annual conference, Cllr Claire Kober OBE, Chair of London Councils, and Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of Core Cities, emphasised the urgency for powers to be devolved from Whitehall.  

• Business rates reform must incentivise local growth says London Councils

  The Government’s overhaul of the business rates system must be part of a package of reforms of local government finance that must incentivise local growth and drive forward the devolution agenda, London Councils has said.

  The member organisation, which represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London, has spoken out after submitting its joint response with the Mayor of London to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s consultation on 100 percent business rates retention.

• Long-term unemployed set to benefit from new grants programme to boost construction industry

  Seven boroughs and the City of London have joined forces with London Councils to help long-term unemployed workers build a career in the construction industry.

  The Borough ESF Employment Construction Careers programme will see £1.85 million made available over the next two years. It will help Londoners improve their employability skills and compete more effectively in the field, which is expected to create thousands of jobs across the capital in the coming years.

• Immediate action needed to protect capital post-Brexit, says London Councils Chair

  London should have significant responsibilities devolved from Whitehall so it can stimulate growth, boost employment, improve housing and offer better value in delivering public services, the Chair of London Councils has said. 

  Speaking ahead of a fringe event at the Labour Party’s annual conference, Cllr Claire Kober OBE emphasised the urgency for powers to be passed to the capital, explaining that this will play a crucial role in ensuring London can rise to the challenge of Brexit.

• Long-term future of nurseries in London under threat

  London Councils is positive about government plans to invest money in childcare but has concerns about the impact of the proposed early years funding formula.

• Boroughs celebrate the brightest and best apprentices

  Apprentices who have made a valuable contribution to local government in London have been recognised for their achievements at the London Borough Apprenticeship Awards 2016.

• Authorities issue 82,000 fewer parking and traffic Penalty Charge Notices

  Almost 82,000 fewer penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking and traffic contraventions were issued by London boroughs and Transport for London (TfL) last year, latest figures reveal.

• London Councils statement on new 'Hopper' bus fare

  Responding to the introduction of the new 'Hopper' bus fare by the Mayor of London, Cllr Julian Bell, London Councils executive member for transport and environment, said:

  “Last year, London Councils, London TravelWatch and Trust for London commissioned a study into travel affordability in the capital, which found travel to work costs account for almost one tenth of a manual worker’s average annual earnings.

• London apprenticeship numbers would need to increase by 570% to meet 'unrealistic' government target

  LONDON boroughs would need to increase their creation of apprenticeships by more than 570% to meet “unrealistic” government targets, it has emerged.

  Responding to the government’s Apprenticeship Funding Proposals, London Councils said current proposals for public sector apprenticeship targets would mean boroughs, which have created 4,834 apprenticeships via direct recruitment since 2009 (an average of 690 per year) would need to deliver 4,674 per year – an increase of 577%.  

• One year until London secondary pupil growth explosion

  London Councils' latest Do The Maths report reveals that secondary school pupil growth is accelerating and will overtake primary pupil growth for the first time in 2017/18.

• School improvement ‘vital’ to London

  London boroughs renewed their commitment to driving school improvement at an Education Summit for councillors and council officers held by London Councils.

• London Councils’ grants programme accepting applications

  Organisations which tackle homelessness and sexual and domestic violence can apply for a funding boost from London Councils.

  Applications for the 2017-21 grants programme remain open and bids can be made by individual organisations or groups working together to provide services to tackle issues on a London-wide basis, accessible to people across all boroughs.

• Statement - GCSE results day 2016

  London Councils' statement on GCSE results day 2016 from Cllr Peter John OBE.

• Statement - Childhood obesity strategy

  London Councils' response to the childhood obesity strategy, published on 18 August 2016.

• Statement - A Level results day 2016

  London Councils' statement on A Level results day 2016.

• Statement on the Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into homelessness

  Mayor Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing, comments on the Communities and Local Government Committee's report following its inquiry into homelessness.

• Have your say on PrEP

  Londoners are being urged to have their say on HIV prevention drugs, known as PrEP, which can be prescribed to people at greatest risk of contracting HIV.

• £6 million boost to help unemployed into work

  The London boroughs have commissioned six new initiatives to tackle poverty across the capital by helping long-term unemployed and disadvantaged residents into work. The programme will make available £6 million funding in total.

  The announcement marks the start of a new programme of work, which is jointly funded by London boroughs (via London Councils, who also manage the programme) and the European Social Fund. 

• Plans to tackle fraudsters in London take leap forward

  Plans to turn up the heat on criminals defrauding London’s councils have taken a major step forward.

• Boroughs hail success of social worker recruitment deal

  London boroughs are hailing the success of an innovative deal to improve recruitment and retention of children’s social workers.

• Statement - High Court ruling on PrEP

  London Councils' response to a High Court judgement that NHS England does have the power to commission Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

• Caution urged over National Funding Formula

  Councillor Peter John, London Councils’ Executive member for children, skills and employment, comments on education funding.

• London Ventures contract awarded to EY

  The new contract for London Ventures, which facilitates public-private sector collaborations that increase efficiency and effectiveness of London’s public services, has been awarded to EY.

• Statement on the Mayor of London's devolution summit

  Cllr Claire Kober, Chair of London Councils, comments on theMayor of London's devolution summit.

• New Chair of London Councils demands more power for Londoners

  Cllr Claire Kober has been elected as Chair of London Councils

• Statement on devolution for London

  London Councils comments on Secretary of State's intention to devolve further powers to London government.

• London Councils criticises transparency code proposals

  London Councils has criticised proposals to amend the Local Government Transparency Code

• Government must focus on consequences for local authorities in business tax overhaul, says London Councils

  Local authorities must not come second to the needs of businesses as the government considers increasing the frequency of business rates revaluations, London Councils has said.

• London Councils supports highest fly tipping fine

  Fly tippers in London who are given fines should pay the highest amount possible in law, according to London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (TEC).

• Higher education must be an open door for all Londoners

  The latest 'Higher education journey of young London residents' report shows that number of young people from London entering university is on the rise.

• Government must make commitments to tackle pollution

  As the UK marks the 60th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, London Councils is calling on government to play its part or see the capital face decades of poor air quality. 

• Vulnerable groups at risk from public sector apprenticeship target

  London Councils is concerned that the number of apprenticeships for people who need additional support to enter the world of work could plummet if the government does not review the terms of its apprenticeship target.

• Chair of London Councils to take up new pan-London role at City Hall

  Mayor Jules Pipe, Chair of London Councils, has announced today that he will be stepping down to take up the role of Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills at City Hall.

• Statement from London Councils regarding hate crime

  Mayor Jules Pipe, Chair, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, Vice Chair and Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE, also Vice Chair comment on instances of hate crime in the capital.

• Joint effort needed to improve London’s air quality

  London MPs and air quality experts will gather this afternoon (Tuesday 28 June) to discuss improving air quality in the capital.

• EU Referendum - London Councils' comment

  London Councils' response to the EU Referendum result.

• Do It London summer HIV testing campaign launches

  London boroughs are launching the summer 2016 phase of their pioneering Do it London campaign to raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for HIV. 

• Call for improved internet connectivity as London marks Tech Week

  London Councils is calling for the creation of a London Chief Digital Officer post to oversee and champion the capital’s broadband needs. 

• Be prepared for flooding says London Councils

  London Councils has launched an informative new video to help businesses and Londoners plan for flooding.

• London Councils calls on government to address business rates appeals

  London Councils is urging the government to give careful consideration to the issue of appeals as it looks to move local government to 100 per cent business rates retention by the end of this Parliament.

• Mayor Jules Pipe re-elected as Chair of London Councils

  Mayor Jules Pipe has been re-elected as chair of London Councils at the first Leaders' Committee meeting since the London Mayoral election.

• NHS England confirms decision not to fund PrEP - London Councils statement

  London Councils' response to NHS England's confirmation of its decision not to fund PrEP.

• Nearly 1 in 5 young people in London not registered to vote

  Ahead of the EU referendum on 23 June, new figures have revealed that many 18-24 year olds will be unable to vote unless they act now.

• Planning - statement on the Queen's Speech 2016

  London Councils' response to reforms to planning law announced in the Queen's Speech 2016.

• Education - statement on the Queen's Speech 2016

  London Councils' statement on the Education for All Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech 2016.

• Business rates - statement on the Queen's Speech 2016

  London Councils' response to the Growth and Jobs Bill, as set out in the Queen's Speech 2016.

• Mayor of London's air quality announcement - London Councils statement

  Statement from London Councils on the Mayor of London's announcement on air quality.

• Academisation - London Councils statement

  London Councils' statement on the government’s decision not to convert all schools into academies, which was announced on 6 May 2016.

• Most pupils get preferred primary school place

  Around 97 per cent of London pupils have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools despite continued pressure on school places, according to the Pan London Admissions Board.

• Statement - House of Lords report on social mobility

  London Councils' response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Social Mobility's report.

• Vital financial support for community services confirmed

  Crucial funding for dozens of important community projects and services will continue until 2021 after the future of London Councils’ Grants programme was confirmed for a further four years.

  Despite the difficult financial situation facing local government, the programme will continue to commission service outcomes to combat homelessness, tackle sexual and domestic violence, and to address poverty through employment across London.

  Borough leaders agreed to fund the Grants programme after the end of the current four-year funding cycle in March 2017.

• NHS England decision not to fund PrEP - London Councils statement

  London Councils' statement on NHS England's decision not to fund Pre Exposure Prophylaxsis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.

• 60 per cent of Londoners more likely to practice safe sex following hard-hitting campaign

  A capital-wide HIV prevention campaign is celebrating success after Londoners reported being influenced by its innovative tactics and eye-catching designs.

• Budget 2016 - converting all schools to academies

  London Councils' response to the Budget announcement that all schools will be converted to academies or be in the process of doing so by 2020.

• Budget 2016 - funding local services for Londoners

  The Chancellor had previously announced that more services will be transferred to local government and central grants from government will end under plans to devolve 100 per cent of business rates to the sector by 2020.

  Ultimately, these reforms could lead to all of London’s local services being funded by business rates and council tax.

• Cllr Julian Bell recognised for outstanding contribution to London transport

  One of the leading figures in London local transport has been recognised at the London Transport Awards.

  Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport in London.

  Cllr Bell said: “I am extremely proud to be honoured in this way for my work in an area about which I am so passionate.

  “I have the pleasure of working with so many talented and knowledgeable people and I would like to thank them for all their support.

• National Funding Formula consultation launched - London Councils statement

  London Councils' statement on the launch of the government's consultation on a new national funding formula for schools

• One million and more reasons London must get fair school funding

  London MPs from the APPG for London joined forces today to discuss government plans to reform school funding.

• Pan-London Admissions Board: London's performance on secondary school admissions 2016

  Figures released today show that 89 per cent of London pupils starting secondary school in September have been offered a place at one of their top three choices.

• Leaders unite to support Crossrail 2

  Local government leaders have called on the government to explore new financial freedoms for councils in realtion to work on Crossrail 2

• Give boroughs more clout to tackle childhood obesity

  London boroughs need stronger planning powers to fight childhood obesity.

• Ambitious careers boost for London’s children

  Read about the London Ambitions careers offer launch in the London Borough of Wandsworth which gives at least 100 hours of experiences of the world of work by the age of 16

• Challenge to provide temporary accommodation in London

  Read our press release on the challenge of providing temporary accommodation for homeless individuals and families in London

• London schoolchildren are most mobile in the country

  More London pupils cross council boundaries to attend school than anywhere else in England

• London Councils welcomes £13m of ultra-low emission funding for London

  London Councils and the Mayor of London have welcomed £13m of new funding to encourage the greater use of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.