The coming weeks and months are going to be incredibly challenging for our organisations, workforces and our communities.

So it was absolutely vital that, in the Budget, the Government recognised the significant role local government is playing in the response to COVID-19. Being given a share of a £5bn emergency fund, with the promise of more money if we need it, will be welcomed by councils and the NHS as the public sector, working with our many partners, does its best to deal with the virus and the knock-on impact it will have on our communities and our economies. There is so much uncertainty that it’s impossible to predict or model what we will all need so it is imperative the Government does what it says and covers the costs we incur instead of wasting valuable time trying to allocate a set amount based on some arbitrary formula.