A new facility which provides refuge accommodation for victims and families affected by domestic abuse has been officially opened in Watford.

A new scheme that provides free or discounted household improvements to help people stay warm in their homes has been launched by Hertfordshire County Council.

The government has launched a new strategy to break down employment barriers and transform disability employment over the next 10 years.
Working with industry, government will be taking further steps to help disabled people and people with health conditions get into work, and remain and progress in their roles.
These include new measures such as widening ‘fit note’ certification and providing dedicated training for work coaches to support people with mental health conditions.

The number of households in the UK where no one is working has fallen by 49,000 in just one year, according to the latest figures.
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of workless households in the UK is now just 3 million (14.5 per cent).
The number of households with at least one working adult has also risen by 126,000.

Plans to transform Chelmsford’s transport network for drivers, pedestrians, bus users and cyclists have been announced by Essex County Council.
The council has decided on 16 schemes combining 20 of the 30 proposals put to the public in the Chelmsford City Growth Package (CCGP) consultation earlier this year.
The Chelmsford City Growth Package is worth a combined £15 million.

Research published by the NLGN calls for public health to be more fully recognised as an economic asset that boosts workforce productivity.

A new investigation of care home inspections data reveals a postcode lottery of care home quality across England.
According to analysis carried out by Which? of data released by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), more than half of care homes in some parts of England are in facilities rated as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’.

The City Conversation, organised by Oxford City Council, brought together 100 stakeholders to discuss rough sleeping and homelessness in Oxford.
Representatives from Oxfordshire’s homelessness organisations, health and mental health providers, faith groups, public bodies, local councillors, and people with lived experience of rough sleeping all attended the conversation.
It was the largest conversation of its kind to take place in Oxford.

West Sussex County Council has confirmed plans towards a balanced budget for 2018/19 as it reveals a refreshed five-year programme.

The Environment Secretary has announced new plans to streamline support for farmers.
Support for farmers will be simplified under plans announced by Environment Secretary Michael Gove, with the country’s decision to leave the EU providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to refocus how we support farmers and landowners.