For most, the month of January marks a new beginning and is spent setting, and hopefully, fulfilling resolutions and easing back into work after the Christmas break. For some there was no break. Critical local government services continued to support and serve society around the clock.

Currently, there is acute unease across the public sector. Further funding has been provided in some instances to ease the financial pressure the public sector is facing. The Government recently announced £250m will be awarded to the NHS to ease winter pressures. While this is welcome it will not alleviate the underlying cause.