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UK economy grew more than expected in first three months of year
The UK's economy grew by more than expected in the first three months of the year, according to the latest official figures. The economy expanded by 0.7 per cent in January to March, stronger than the 0.6 per cent that analysts had forecast, which the Office for National Statistics said was largely driven by the UK services sector.
BBC Online: UK economy grew more than expected in first three months of year
Plans to spend millions on 'forgotten neighbourhoods'
Proposals have been drawn up to spend millions in deprived neighbourhoods which are most at risk of failing to meet the Government's missions, it is reported. Approving the money will ultimately be a decision for the Treasury in the upcoming Spending Review, but it is said to have wide support among backbench MPs.
Sky News Online: Plans to spend millions on 'forgotten neighbourhoods' - could yours be one of them?
MPs call for increased protections for vulnerable benefit claimants
A cross-party committee of MPs has called for greater protections for vulnerable benefit claimants after hundreds of cases of deaths and serious harms linked to safeguarding failures by welfare officials. The Commons Work and Pensions select committee said many of these cases, which include instances where claimants took their own lives, could have been prevented had the Department for Work and Pensions discharged its responsibilities effectively.
Guardian: MPs call for increased protections for vulnerable benefit claimants
Only half of families aware of council tax support
Low-income families are missing out on financial support schemes due to a lack of awareness, research has found. Only 45 per cent of people were aware of the council tax reduction and support schemes, according to a report by food charity The Bread and Butter Thing.
MJ: Only half of families aware of council tax support (£)
MPs hear sanctions call for SEND tribunal failures
A leading campaigner has called for local authorities failing in their legal duties to children with special educational needs to face “severe consequences” in a bid to solve the crisis in provision of services. Giving evidence to the cross-party Commons Education Committee on Tuesday, Georgina Downard, senior solicitor with the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice, told MPs she believed many local authorities were regularly failing their legal obligation.
LGC: MPs hear sanctions call for SEND tribunal failures (£)
London dominates England’s social mobility league with top 20 places
The top 20 parliamentary constituencies with the best social mobility in England are all in London, according to research from a leading education charity. In a report published today, the Sutton Trust has put together an “opportunity index” by analysing six measures of mobility, including the share of children on free school meals who achieve passes in GCSE maths and English; who complete a degree by age 22; and who make it into the top 20 per cent of earners by age 28.
Guardian: London dominates England’s social mobility league with top 20 places
1.5m foreign workers already in UK could face longer wait for permanent settlement
About 1.5 million foreign workers who have moved to Britain since 2020 may have to wait a further five years to apply for permanent settlement. Under changes set out in the immigration white paper, automatic settlement and citizenship rights will be granted after 10 years instead of five, but the paper did not specify whether this would apply to recent arrivals already in the UK and in the process of their application.
Guardian: 1.5m foreign workers already in UK could face longer wait for permanent settlement
More inmates released early to stop prisons running out of space
More than a thousand inmates will be released early to free up spaces in prisons in England and Wales, the Justice Secretary has announced, to help deal with an overcrowding crisis. Under the move, offenders serving one to four years who are recalled to prison for breaching their licences will be released after 28 days, while Shabana Mahmood said a £4.7 billion investment would fund more prisons.
BBC Online: More inmates released early to stop prisons running out of space
London boroughs plan to cut spending on council housing by £264m
London’s boroughs are being forced to cut their spending on council housing by a total of £264 million over the next three years, according to a new analysis. Research by London Councils has found that the costs boroughs face in managing their council housing have spiralled, while income has failed to keep pace, as ministers have kept social rent increases below inflation over several years.
Standard: London boroughs plan to cut spending on council housing by £264 million
Exceptionally low river levels raise fears over water supplies
Many of the UK's rivers have hit exceptionally low levels and that could worsen in the next three months, according to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, raising questions over supplies to households, farmers and businesses. The warning comes after the driest spring in England since 1961, with northern regions experiencing the driest start to the year in nearly a century.
BBC Online: Exceptionally low river levels raise fears over water supplies
Thursday's national newspaper front pages
Events
Thursday 19 June 2025, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
New and recently elected councillors are invited to our free national welcome virtual event, providing you with information on the work of the Local Government Association, our councillor development programmes and regional support. There will be the opportunity to hear from experienced councillors as well as breakout sessions for each political grouping.
Tuesday 1 - Thursday 3 July 2025, Liverpool
Join us in Liverpool for the biggest event in the local government calendar, where we’ll be discussing the latest issues affecting local government.
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