Title

HEALTH

Coronavirus testing extended to frontline council staff

Council staff with symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to get tested for the virus, the Government has announced.

Council staff with symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to get tested for the virus, the Government has announced.

Under plans to substantially increase testing capacity, the Government said all essential workers and their families in England will be able to get tested.

This includes local government staff critical to the effective delivery of the coronavirus response or delivering essential public services.

Employers will be able to register and refer self-isolating staff for testing or employees will be able to book a test directly for themselves or members of their household if they have symptoms.

A home delivery service, which ran out of tests just hours after being launched this morning, will also be available.

Secretary of state for health and social care, Matt Hancock, said: 'It's all part of getting Britain back on her feet.'

HEALTH

Prevention first: Why food insecurity must be addressed before crisis hits

By Vic Harper | 09 February 2026

Prevention is the only way to reduce the hardship caused by food insecurity at scale and support long term stability, says Vic Harper.

HEALTH

The Top 10 councils powering ahead on productivity

By Ann McGauran | 05 February 2026

Local government’s leadership may be dealing with a maelstrom of challenges, but the councils whose productivity performance has earned them a place in the I...

HEALTH

The challenges, opportunities and risks of devo

By Martin Ford | 29 January 2026

The Government’s drive for devolution is set to radically alter the landscape of local government. The National Audit Office (NAO) and The MJ brought togethe...

HEALTH

The NHS 10 Year Plan: Why listening at scale matters for local government

By Ruth Cousens | 28 January 2026

Ruth Cousens outlines what 250,000 voices reveal about prevention, place and the future role of councils.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman