National and Devolved Politics

09.07.20

LGA: Economic Update leaves ‘unfinished business’ with councils

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak delivered his Summer Economic Update yesterday (July 8) outlining a multi billion pound commitment to creating green jobs and supporting employment among young people.

Since the announcement, which also offered support for businesses willing to continue employment of furloughed workers, local leaders in the UK have been sharing their feelings.

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:

“We are pleased that the Chancellor has acted on council calls by announcing investment in skills, creating jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities for young people. Councils have also been leading calls for a green recovery so initiatives, such as social housing decarbonisation and a focus on green jobs, are also encouraging steps.”

However, he went on to say:

“Councils are deeply concerned about local economic decline and rising unemployment. Locally led action will be key if every part of the country is to bounce back from this economic shock – as set out by our discussion paper Rethinking Local. Councils want to work with the Government on how to best target increased national investment to help young people and adults secure jobs and get millions of people back into work.

“While the measures announced today are positive, there is also unfinished business when it comes to fully supporting councils and some sectors. Councils continue to lead local areas through this crisis and are committed to working with the Government to help communities, but further measures are needed to fully address the severe financial challenges they face as a result.”

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region echoed a similar notion of welcoming the announcement but calling for it to go further:

“I welcome the steps taken by the Chancellor to protect and create jobs, particularly those that help move us towards net zero emissions. However, the Government risks repeating the mistakes of the past: developing and driving the recovery from a desk in Whitehall. This approach will only take us back to a broken status quo – and hardwire widening regional inequality into our economy.

“As a starting point, the Government should be working closely with Metro Mayors in planning our economic renewal, because we are best placed to know what our regions and communities need – we understand our areas best. Over the course of the epidemic the value of a regional approach has been shown – we need to mobilise every bit of our knowledge and networks to beat the pandemic and drive recovery afterwards. But to do this, the government needs to give us the resources and the powers to do it. By working together, we can deliver not just recovery, but renewal for our people, places and businesses.”

 Image: PHIL NOBLE/WPA Rota/Press Association Images

 Ep. 20 Celebrating leadership through a crisis - Cllr Sarah Rouse

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