Julie Morgan has announced that a new £3 million fund is being set up to provide respite and short breaks for Wales’ small army of unpaid carers.

More than 90,000 primary school pupils in Scotland will be entitled to new free school meal support in term time.
The Scottish Government and local authority partners have reached agreement to introduce universal free school lunches for primary 4 and 5 children and targeted support during school holidays for all eligible primary and secondary children and young people.
The £28 million commitment will deliver free school lunches during term time for P4 children by August 2021 and to P5 children by January 2022.

One Public Estate has awarded £30 million to successful cross-public sector projects as part of its levelling up agenda.

A new campaign aimed at inspiring the nation to get planting has been launched to help communities tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
The campaign – backed by green organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, National Trust, Horticultural Trades Association and Royal Horticultural Society – is asking individuals and communities to play their part in helping reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and supporting nature recovery by planting flowers and trees, restoring community spaces and getting out into nature.

The Wildlife Trusts says that restoring nature can bring wide-ranging benefits to society, help reach net-negative carbon emissions and rebuild the economy.

Discounted houses for local people and key workers will be made available as the new First Homes scheme launches to help local first-time buyers.

The Public Accounts Committee has warned that the impact of the pandemic risks leading to reductions in services for local people even as council tax rises.

New guidance for public bodies stresses that opportunities for local growth should be taken into account when awarding public contracts.

40 areas have been awarded a share of £18.3 million to make streets safer through projects to crack down on neighbourhood crimes.