Leicestershire County Council has warned of a ‘serious and extremely challenging’ financial situation.

The government has announced provisional allocations of a £34 million fund to provide local support for those living on the streets.
Following on from the recent launch of its Rough Sleeping Strategy, rough sleepers will receive further support after the government set out plans to fund 83 areas with the highest numbers of people at risk over the next two years, with funding allocated to councils to back on-going initiatives in their area.

Nicola Sturgeon set out details of 12 new bills in her ‘programme for government’, including mental health funding and infrastructure plans.

The government has announced a £6 million programme that will help adults learn to speak English and better integrate into British life.

Age UK warns that the safety net for elderly people living at home has become dangerously weak, with older people living alone in declining health.

Green Party members have voted Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry new co-leaders of the party after an internal election this summer.
With Caroline Lucas having decided not to stand again, Bartley, who was co-leader alongside Lucas, will now lead the party alongside Berry on a two-year term, having seen off the challenge of Shahrar Ali, a former deputy leader, and former parliamentary candidate Leslie Rowe.

Somerset County Council has announced a range of proposals to to tackle spending pressures.

The West Midlands has been selected to become the innovative home to the UK’s first multi-city 5G test bed.

The 30 hours funded childcare offer has led to increased fees for nearly half of parents and is financially hitting providers.

£10 million will be spent on a digital planning service to improve the way that drivers plan their journeys and help them avoid roadworks.