90,000 to benefit from free school meals in Scotland

More than 90,000 primary school pupils in Scotland will be entitled to new free school meal support in term time.

New funding to create 19,000 jobs and 17,000 new homes

One Public Estate has awarded £30 million to successful cross-public sector projects as part of its levelling up agenda.

A new campaign aimed at inspiring the nation to get planting has been launched to help communities tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

Pandemic risks leading to reductions in public services

The Public Accounts Committee has warned that the impact of the pandemic risks leading to reductions in services for local people even as council tax rises.

Procurement teams must consider wider benefits of public spending

New guidance for public bodies stresses that opportunities for local growth should be taken into account when awarding public contracts.

£18.3 million to make streets safer through local projects

40 areas have been awarded a share of £18.3 million to make streets safer through projects to crack down on neighbourhood crimes.

Eight in 10 councils forced to overspend on children’s care

The LGA has revealed that more than eight in 10 councils in England responsible for children’s social care overspent in the year to 2019/20.

Labour publishes new education plan for post-Covid period

Labour has proposed a programme for all children to ‘play, learn and develop’ as the post-Covid catch up continues.

Contact tracing in Wales extended until March 2022

The Welsh Government has announced that the Test, Trace, Protect service will be extended to next year, with a further injection of funding.

Government announces £1 billion expansion of tutoring

Children and young people across England will be offered up to 100 million hours of free tuition to help them catch up on learning lost during the pandemic.

Ten councils to test the use of digital tools in planning process

Housing Minister Chris Pincher has announced a £1.1 million fund to test the use of digital tools and data standards across 10 local areas.

Air pollution as big a concern as coronavirus for children

Two-thirds of young people are worried about how air pollution will affect their health, which is almost as much as they worry about coronavirus.

Search for next UK City of Culture launched

Oliver Dowden has launched the competition to find the UK’s next City of Culture, who will take on the baton from 2021 City of Culture Coventry.

MHCLG’s second HQ will be based in Wolverhampton

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that the MHCLG’s second HQ will be based at the i9 building in the heart of Wolverhampton.

Unemployment impact of pandemic on rural areas highlighted

A narrow focus in the government’s levelling-up agenda which bypasses rural and shire counties risks England’s economic recovery from coronavirus.

Pages

Event Diary

Join the digital, data and technology community at DigiGov Expo – where public sector experts and innovators gain knowledge to transform government services.

The Workplace Event 2024

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting workplace cultures, and an increased focus on employee well-being, The Workplace Event (TWE) 2024 emerges as a beacon of insight, innovation, and inspiration. Taking place from April 30 - May 2 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, TWE  brings together over 5,000 workplace and facilities management professionals.