When I spoke in the House of Lords debate about local government finance this month I said that, in my opinion, our councillors and officers at every level across the UK are heroes. Their steadfast commitment to serving their communities and delivering against local priorities in spite of the severe funding cuts and other constraints they face is exemplary.

They form strategic partnerships and take high-level decisions to shape their places to meet the needs of local people, communities and business. They are in the front line when it comes to resolving local issues – everything from tackling health inequalities, supporting the most vulnerable and building much-needed housing to making sure bins and benches are in the right place. The phenomenal response of local government when the pandemic struck showed the vital importance of local knowledge – from food distribution to vaccine promotion, from housing rough sleepers to public health measures to protect high streets. And it was local government that co-ordinated the open-hearted response of the British people to refugees from Ukraine, Syria and Hong Kong.