The ‘back-to-work’ Budget saw a number of important announcements which councils have been calling for, such as widening employment support, improving local roads, protecting swimming pools from rising costs and funding for vital regeneration efforts.

While positive, we were disappointed there was no further investment in adult social care, public health and children’s services, which all play a vital role in supporting economic growth and helping people back into work, alongside boosting people’s health and wellbeing. The Government also acted on our calls for investment in early years education and childcare, given councils’ duty to ensure sufficiency of local provision. This will require significant investment into the workforce and early years’ facilities.