Responding to the Joseph Roundtree Foundation’s report on poverty across the UK, which reveals that it has risen among children and pensioners over the last five years, Cllr Richard Watts, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said:
“Today’s report shows that in order to tackle poverty and promote social mobility, policies cutting across a wide range of areas – such as education, employment support, welfare, health and affordable housing – need to be considered together.
“Councils understand the challenges and opportunities of their communities best and want every resident to have a good quality of life to be able to improve their circumstances regardless of their background or where they live. With the right funding and flexibilities, councils can better support low-income and disadvantaged households, lift thousands out of poverty and help the Government realise its commitment to level up communities across the country.
“This includes the ability for councils to resume their historic role as major builders of affordable homes and handing control of national employment schemes to local areas who can target skills, careers advice and employment support more effectively to help people get on in life and progress their careers.”
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