New research has argued that it is investment in cities, not towns, is the best way to tackle regional inequality for the long-term.

Nearly 100 cities have been named as leaders in environmental action and transparency in 2021 by CDP, with 11 UK cities making the list.

Updated government plans show that the financial help poorer people get to cover their care will not count towards a new cap on costs.
In September it was announced that from 2023 no-one in England would pay more than £86,000 for care. However, a tweak to the plan has now been published, which critics say could see the poorest having to use more of their assets than better off people.

An additional £18 million will be available this year to help householders in Scotland install energy efficient measures and reduce their heating bills.

The LGA has launched a new online resource to map national employment and skills provision in every local authority in England.

Welsh Ministers have announced £51 million to help families facing the cost-of-living crisis to pay their bills this winter.

Over 100,000 young people across the country have now started jobs through the government’s landmark Kickstart Scheme.
Launched as part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, Kickstart has helped young people in all corners of the country to develop new skills, build confidence, and get a crucial first foot on the career ladder, with jobs at a huge range of UK employers including Yorkshire Water, Pinewood Studios, JD Sports, EFL football clubs, and SeaGrown, the UK’s first offshore seaweed farm.

Care leaders are calling on the government to award and fund a £1,000 bonus over the winter period for social care workers in England.
The bonus would recognise the loyalty and dedication of care workers through the Covid-19 pandemic and would help stem the loss of skilled and experienced staff to other types of work.
The call for the £1,000 bonus is being made by ADASS (the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) in response to reports from directors across England of care services struggling or breaking down because of staff shortages.

Oxford City Council has published its strategy for how it aims to protect, manage and enhance the trees and hedgerows in the city.

Greater Manchester becomes first city-region officially recognised by the Living Wage Foundation for the take up of the real Living Wage.