A new report from the ARCO and consultancy Carterwood has called for planning system to be reformed to reduce waste and inefficiency.

The government needs to act to prevent council tax loading £158 million in bailiff and court fees on to people who can’t pay following the pandemic.

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services has published a new paper on the impacts of coronavirus on children and their families.
The paper attempts to capture both the challenges as well as the opportunities of the pandemic, and sets out the association’s early thinking on the strategic risks that need addressing in order to ensure children are safe, cared for and thrive in their education and beyond.

TfWM and Birmingham City Council are leading on the development of e-scooter rental trial in the West Midlands.

The Children’s Right2Food Campaign is calling on the government to address child food insecurity by expanding free school meals.

A new report by the National Literacy Trust shows that children are reading more and enjoying reading more during lockdown than before.

Barnardo’s has said that it needs the help of health professionals to help stop vulnerable young people missing out on vital support.

Statistics covering 25 June to 1 July of the NHS Test and Trace service have been published by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The data says that 91 per cent of in-person tests taken at regional test sites and mobile testing units were returned in less than 24 hours over that period, with 97.5 per cent returned the day after the test was taken.
More than 144,000 people who may have been at risk of unknowingly spreading the virus have been reached by the service and asked to self-isolate.

Research has shown that eight in 10 people living alone with dementia have seen no family or friends since March.

Homes and businesses will become more resilient after the government revealed its long-term plan to tackle the risks of flooding.