Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has joined forces with the Electoral Commission and the Jo Cox Foundation to call for no abuse towards candidates at this set of local elections.
The organisations have urged voters to treat candidates in the upcoming local elections with dignity and respect and to not engage in behaviour that may constitute harassment or intimidation.
The call comes amid concern about the growing levels of abuse and intimidation aimed towards local councillors which can become heightened during election campaigns.
Marianne Overton, chair of the LGA’s Civility in Public Life Steering Group, said: “It’s really important that everyone participating in these local elections are treated with respect, focussing on the debate itself and free of abuse and intimidation.
She said it was "profoundly disturbing" to hear reports of harassment towards candidates.
"It cannot become the norm that councillors need to install CCTV and panic alarms in their houses to feel safe whilst fulfilling their democratic duty.
“Anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation, should feel safe to become a councillor. We must do all we can to stamp out abuse from public life and encourage healthy debate if we are to safeguard the future of our local democracy.”
Recent LGA research found that three quarters (75 per cent) of councillors in England and Wales experienced some form of intimidation or abuse during the 2023 local election campaign.
A survey by the Electoral Commission also revealed that nearly a quarter of candidates at the last set of local elections experienced someone intentionally making them feel unsafe. Twelve per cent of those who experienced harassment reported this to the police.
Levels of abuse and intimidation aimed at councillors have been increasing, with 82 per cent of councillors feeling personally at risk in 2023, up nine per cent from the year before.
Although the majority of abuse is at a low level, a growing number of councillors have experienced more severe abuse, including stalking and threats of violence, some of which has resulted in criminal prosecutions.
Elections will take place on 2 May in 107 councils as well as combined authority elections in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley and the West Midlands.
There will also be elections for the London Mayoralty, the Greater London Authority Assembly and Police and Crime Commissioners.
Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
As Diesel Makes a Comeback, Investment in Low Carbon Ad Blue Solutions Makes Economic and Environmental Sense
UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.
Registration is now open for the award-winning Road Transport Expo 2024 (RTX) – the tradeshow with a dedicated “all about the truck” focus.
At GeoEnergy Design, we're on a mission to disrupt the traditional way heating and cooling ha
Eight West Midlands-based local authorities have joined together to manage a local recycling plant, improving recycling and bringing down costs.
Daniel Coulon, director at the National Association of Wheeled Bin Washers sets out some of the solutions for bin cleaning.