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Devolving the visitor levy to local areas will enable significant investment in the visitor economy, boosting local attractions and tourism businesses, say councils.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the Chancellor to use the Spring Statement to further stabilise council finances, warning that growing cost and demand pressures continue to push councils to the financial brink. It is good that councils have received some funding growth in recent years. A much-needed multi-year funding settlement has improved councils’ financial certainty and will help many councils to begin to rebuild after over a decade of underfunding. Local government is key to creating thriving communities and places and the achievement of national objectives. From

“Councils need sustainable, long-term funding to better protect the services that people rely on, as they face rising demand and increasing costs to deliver them."

“We're pleased the Government shares our aspiration that children with SEND who require support do so in a mainstream setting where appropriate; and that all children can reach their potential."

“These findings reinforce the need for comprehensive reform of the SEND system, and that the Schools White Paper must consider how we fund and provide home to school transport.

"Creating a smokefree generation will only be achieved through sustained prevention, legislation and a shared commitment across government, local government, health services, and communities."

We are pleased to see a real terms increase in the grant, alongside alignment with the Local Government Finance Settlement, the bringing together of key funding streams for services and continued investment in the Swap to Stop scheme.

“We are pleased the Government has acted on our call for an extension to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund and provided additional funding.

"As leaders of place, councils convene these partnerships and will work with government to remove barriers. We urge government to align outcomes across other public service frameworks."

We support the Government’s ambition to back local and community energy and give people a real stake in the clean energy transition. Investment that helps communities co-own generation, cut bills and reinvest returns locally is a positive step.