Legislation for the introduction of a National Care Service for Scotland (NCS) has passed the first stage in Parliament.

New figures have shown that applications for government heat pump grants have increased 39 per cent compared to January 2023.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has seen its third best month for applications in its history.
There were over 2,000 applications for heat pump grants in January 2024, the only months that have exceeded this were October and November last year.

A partnership of organisations representing local government has launched a new National Alliance for Cultural Services.
According to the Local Government Association (LGA), councils are the biggest public funder of culture in England. However, the rising demand in adult and children’s social care, and homelessness services, alongside a 24 per cent real terms reduction in core spending power from 2010/11 to 2024/25 is squeezing all other budgets.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has proposed new consumer standards designed to protect tenants and improve the service they receive.
The changes are part of the Social Housing Regulation Act and will come into effect from 1 April 2024.
The regulations will apply to all social landlords, including councils and housing associations.
The new standards will mean that landlords will have to make sure that tenants are safe in their homes and listen to tenants’ complaints and respond promptly to put things right.

£220 million has been given to councils across the country to help prevent families becoming homeless and also help rough sleepers off the streets.
The funding boost will target the areas most in need and also includes specialist support for the most vulnerable who require mental health or substance misuse support.  
£107 million will be spent on 800 homes for rough sleepers. This money will be made available immediately for councils to purchase or rent properties to give rough sleepers a safe space to stay whilst they rebuild their lives off the streets.

£19 million from the Levelling Up Fund is to be used to redevelop the former Bridgwater Hospital site in Somerset into a training centre of excellence for health and social care.
The site will be redeveloped into a new facility for developing the skills of the care sector workforce in Somerset.
The building will be remodelled to provide high-tech training spaces and meeting rooms.
The front of the building will be preserved and a new two-storey structure will connect to the back.

In a survey carried out by the Local Government Association (LGA), two-thirds of councils have warned that communities will see cutbacks to local neighbourhood services this year.
Struggling to plug funding gaps, councils have warned there could be cuts to waste collection, road repairs, library, and leisure services.
Ahead of next week's spring budget, the LGA has called on the government to  provide further funding to address the growing financial crisis facing councils and local services.

The ECF, formerly known as the English Cities Fund has increased to £400 million in an attempt to support and unlock the potential of towns and cities across England.
ECG is a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse. It has been expanded with the injection of an additional £100m of equity from the partners, to be matched by an additional £100m of debt.
It was first created in 2001 with £100m of investment to boost priority regeneration areas.

The next government could add £51.2 billion to the economy by building 90,000 social rented homes, according to new research released today.

£5.9 million of Welsh Government support has been given to businesses investing in research and innovation across the country.