Coronavirus
COVID-19: Making public messages clear in more than 30 languages
Members of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s diverse communities have recorded video blogs with crucial COVID-19 public health messages in more than 30 languages so far, says Adrian Chapman.
CQC issues COVID-19 guidance on DBS checks
The Care Quality Commission(CQC) has issued interim guidance on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and other recruitment checks in response to coronavirus.
Vacant care homes will open in two weeks for COVID-19 capacity
Hertfordshire CC is recommissioning two vacant council-owned former care homes over the next two weeks to provide extra capacity during COVID-19 for patients discharged from hospital.
COVID-19: Hertfordshire’s support for care sector provides confidence for the future
Iain MacBeath explains how Hertfordshire CC has stepped in to offer certainty and support to the care sector during COVID-19 – ‘doing the right thing by our care workers’.
Birmingham leader demands clarity on coronavirus failures
The leader of Birmingham City Council has written to the Government seeking urgent clarity on plans to deliver food to vulnerable residents amid the coronavirus crisis.
Universal credit 'is key to hardship', says think tank
Universal credit is the ‘key to many families avoiding real hardship’, the Resolution Foundation think tank has claimed.
Video conferencing first at council meeting
A council used software to help decide key planning applications in what is believed to be the first meeting of its kind in the country.
Safeguarding Bristol’s rough sleepers during the pandemic
Marvin Rees says Bristol City Council has successfully placed the majority of rough sleepers in hotels and all shelter occupants are in alternative accommodation, while negotiations continue with hotel chains for a further supply of rooms.
Care providers experience tenfold hike in costs of protective equipment
Suppliers of protective equipment are charging as much as 10 times the normal amount for their products as supplies grow scare, care companies have told the BBC.
Lack of vital worker protection ‘shameful’
Local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has demanded that local government workers get access to crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the coronavirus crisis.
Outsourcers change coronavirus policy
Outsourcer Amey has U-turned to give full pay to workers off sick with coronavirus or those self-isolating during the current health emergency.
Lloyd hails rough sleeping drive
Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive, Mark Lloyd, has hailed councils’ efforts to get all rough sleepers off the streets amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Councils start to pay out business grants
Thousands of small firms have begun to receive £25,000 cash grants from councils as part of a £22bn government package in response to COVID-19.
‘I am humbled by the amazing groundswell of community support in Westminster’
Leader of Westminster City Council Rachel Robathan says while ensuring the health of residents is the key priority during the COVID-19 outbreak, there will come a point in future months when the council will also need to revive the economy.
Reset for the UK’s high streets
The future is upon us and unless we understand the rapidly changing needs, our high streets will lose their purpose, says John Quinton-Barber - and the pandemic will accelerate much of the digital disruption we’ve seen over the last decade.
COVID-19: Add value, not noise
During this crisis, people are looking to local leaders for answers and visibility, says Andrew St Ledger – and he outlines five key communications lessons that focus on ‘getting the basics right’.
Care providers in law change call
Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Radical transformation’s biggest gift
As the COVID-19 crisis escalates, its impact has shifted the community empowerment and participation agenda into overdrive, writes Heather Jameson as she looks at what the lasting legacy could be for local government and society.
Working at pace to deliver social care in a crisis
Durham CC’s focus during the COVID-19 outbreak is on supporting commissioned adult and health services to continue to deliver sustainable high quality care, says Neil Jarvis.
Right back where we started
Economists predict the deficit in the public finances could soar to the levels seen a decade ago after the financial crash. Michael Burton reports.