Scottish government funding for councils

22 December 2022
Scottish government funding for councils
The Scottish government has published details of how £13.2 billion of Scottish government funding will be distributed across local authorities.
The funding includes a cash increase of 3.5 per cent in day-to-day revenue funding for next year.
The deal represents a total cash increase of £570 million, 4.5 per cent.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I recognise the challenge which local councils face in delivering services during the current bleak economic climate.
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Measures to help migrant and refugee Londoners get support

21 December 2022
Measures to help migrant and refugee Londoners get support
The Mayor of London of London has announced new measures to help migrant and refugee Londoners access support.
A new map has been produced to help Londoners with immigration needs to access information about their rights and entitlements and find their nearest services and resources. The map provides details of services and organisations specialising in providing immigration advice, employment advice and employability support, welfare advice, healthcare and mental health support, and housing advice and support.
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Funding opens for village hall improvements

21 December 2022
Funding opens for village hall improvements
Village halls in England will be able to apply for grants for renovations, as the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund opens for applications.
The £3 million capital fund was launched to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Being managed by the charity Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), it is expected that the fund will be used to support around 125 village halls over three years.
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Provisional local government finance settlement announced

20 December 2022
Provisional local government finance settlement announced
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has announced a £59.5 billion funding package for councils for the next financial year. The 9 per cent increase on the previous year is intended to ensure that councils can continue to deliver vital frontline services.
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Initiative launched for more Welsh food in the public sector

20 December 2022
Initiative launched for more Welsh food in the public sector
The Welsh Government has launched a new initiative to encourage more local spending on food by the Welsh NHS, schools and local government to help support Welsh producers, create more jobs and boost prosperity in local communities.
The new online food procurement resource 'Buying Food Fit for the Future, is part of government plans to support everyday local economies.
The government said the food economy is facing challenges following Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine and public sector procurement can help to address these challenges.
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Government launches energy saving campaign

19 December 2022
Government launches energy saving campaign
The government has launched an energy saving campaign to provide advice on how to cut bills by bringing down the amount of energy needed to keep homes warm.
The "It All Adds Up" campaign includes features on tips on simple, low or no-cost actions that can be taken immediately to cut energy use and save money.
There is also advice on longer term measures that will have an effect in the future as well.
The £18 million campaign is being launched on a new website. There will also be adverts on TV, radio and digital platforms.
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£2 bus journey scheme launched

19 December 2022
£2 bus journey scheme launched
A new £2 bus journey scheme is set to start on 1 January.
The Get Around for £2 scheme will be in place from January to March next year. Bus operators launched a promotion campaign today.
The scheme is funded by £60 million of government investment, and will cap single journeys at £2 across England and outside of London.
The scheme is intended to encourage more commuters to take the bus and reduce emissions and congestion.
130 bus operators will be involved in the scheme.
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New flood warning services rolled out in Kent and Surrey

16 December 2022
New flood warning services rolled out in Kent and Surrey
The Environment Agency has launched new flood warning services for parts of Kent and Surrey.
The services are for 3,259 properties and came into effect on 7 December.
The services are available in six new flood warning areas - Dorking, Horley, Redhill, Whitstable, Herne Bay and Folkestone.
The new service aims to make flood warnings more targeted and enable homeowners to prepare to respond in good time.
Homes and business owners will automatically enrolled to the new service through their mobile phone network.
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£3.8 million for green spaces and tree planting in London

16 December 2022
£3.8 million for green spaces and tree planting in London
£3.8 million is to be invested to support green spaces and tree planting projects in London.
Applications for the second round of the Green Resilient Spaces Fund are now open.
£3 million is available for projects to create or improve green spaces and £800,000 for large scale tree planting to improve climate resilience.
The fund will prioritise projects in areas that are vulnerable to climate change, areas with low tree canopy cover or areas where residents are more than a 10-minute walk from green space.
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