Title

WHITEHALL

LGA demands talks over anti-terror law

The Local Government Association (LGA) has demanded fresh talks with senior Home Office figures amid concerns a proposed anti-terror law will heap huge costs onto councils.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has demanded fresh talks with senior Home Office figures amid concerns a proposed anti-terror law will heap huge costs onto councils.

Ministers have proposed the introduction of Martyn's Law - a duty that would require venues and public spaces to improve safety.

The LGA has raised concerns about the regulatory and administrative costs of the law, which would cover council-linked venues including community centres, town halls, schools, libraries, museums, village halls and sports facilities.

It has been estimated that larger venues face huge compliance bills of £80,000 over 10 years.

Deputy chair of the LGA's safer and stronger communities board, Clive Woodbridge, said: ‘Implementation will require substantial resources - not just money, but investment in people with the necessary skills and capabilities.

‘I think there has been some contact - certainly between the relevant officers and the Home Office - but over the coming weeks and months we would welcome the opportunity to speak in more detail with them and at a higher level.'

The LGA has called for ministers to consider exempting smaller bodies or venues amid fears that small, religious or charitable organisations may stop hosting events.

Cllr Woodbridge added: ‘It would be a win for terrorism if a lot of those events that are at the centre of our lives… were to be wound down because of this legislation.'

WHITEHALL

Calls to ease borrowing restrictions in wake of homes buying blitz

By By Paul Marinko | 03 September 2026

Councils are demanding the Government ease borrowing restrictions to help them confront the nation’s housing crisis.

WHITEHALL

Let's start with prevention

By Jack Shaw | 03 September 2026

Jack Shaw looks at how government can make homelessness prevention a whole-place responsibility and says there are already ‘glimpses of what this can achieve’.

WHITEHALL

Evict parents of anti-social children, think-tank suggests

By Joe Lepper | 02 September 2026

Social housing tenants who are parents of persistently anti-social children should be evicted from their homes, former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith’...

WHITEHALL

Turning housing ambition into local government delivery

By Victoria Searle | 02 September 2026

Andy Burnham’s pledges to end rough sleeping and usher in the biggest post-war council housebuilding programme in England places major responsibility on loca...

Popular articles by Mark Conrad