Existing vulnerabilities and learning gaps have been exacerbated by the pandemic to such an extent that they are unlikely to be solved by a quick “catch-up” initiative, the Local Government Association warns today (25 Mar) in a new report, "Better connected: How local education and children’s services in England have responded to the coronavirus pandemic".

Addressing long-term unemployment as a result of the pandemic will require a joint endeavour between national and local government, the Local Government Association (@LGAcomms) sets out today ahead of the Budget, as a new report by the Learning and Work Institute is published into long-term unemployment projections.

Speaking ahead of Ofsted’s planned resumption of some inspection activity of schools, which could restart this month, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s (@LGAcomms) Children and Young People Board, said:

Chair of the Local Government Association’s (@LGAcomms) Children and Young People Board comments on the issue of schools reopening next week On the issue of schools reopening next week, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, which represents councils across England, said:

The high needs system for further education is not working and requires a radical shake-up, council and college leaders say today (3 Dec) in a new report.