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Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association responds to a report from the House of Lords Public Services Committee

“The pandemic has shown that, with the right funding and freedoms, councils can improve people’s lives. It is therefore important that this report recognises that the recovery from COVID-19 needs to include greater powers being given to local councils and their communities.

“Bringing greater resources and powers over key responsibilities, such as skills, transport and housing, closer to communities is the best way to ensure we have a recovery that works for everyone. With the right powers and sustainable funding in the Government’s forthcoming Levelling Up White Paper, councils can work closely with businesses and local partners to help the government meet its ambition to level up the country.”

Refocus ‘levelling up’ strategy and funds, peers tell government