Local Authority round-up – 18 July 2025
18th July, 2025
Our Local Authority round up provides brief summaries of topical information on a weekly basis, to keep you aware of the changes and updates relevant to you.
Devolution
Government publishes the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
This Bill was published last week. It is the next crucial step in the Government’s overhaul of local government structures. Tim Care and Imogen Holland have prepared an article which looks at what this means for local authorities.
To read the article please click here.
Education
Government aims to improve digital infrastructure in schools
The Government has launched an initiative to ensure that all schools and colleges meet six essential digital standards by 2030. These standards include high-quality broadband, robust wireless networks, secure network switches, strong digital leadership, effective cyber-security, and filtering and monitoring systems. Backed by a £45 million investment in 2025, the programme will prioritise schools in underserved areas, aiming to create a more level playing field in access to digital education tools.
To support this transformation, the Government is expanding its “Plan Technology For Your School” service, offering tailored advice and procurement support for institutions upgrading their digital infrastructure. This builds on the success of the “Connect the Classroom” programme, which has already improved connectivity for over 1.3 million students. The strategy reflects a broader goal to ensure all students, regardless of location, have access to the technology and digital skills necessary for future success while also maintaining strong protections for online safety.
For more information please click here.
Health & Social Care
The Government’s Neighbourhood Health Service has launched
The Government has introduced its Neighbourhood Health Service, targeting the country’s most deprived communities where healthy life expectancy is lowest. From September 2025, up to 42 pioneer sites will begin to operate, bringing NHS care closer to home by assembling multidisciplinary teams including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social care workers, paramedics, community health workers and volunteers.
These neighbourhood teams will focus on patients with long‑term or complex conditions, aiming to keep them well in their communities, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, and tackle health inequalities.
To implement the programme, local health and care leaders were invited to join a national coaching programme, featuring workshops with experts, patients, the voluntary sector and local authorities.
The Government also aims to establish neighbourhood health centres to offer services traditionally provided in hospitals—such as diagnostics, post‑operative care and rehabilitation—alongside social support offerings like debt advice, employment assistance, smoking cessation and weight management.
For more information please click here.
Housing
Government seeks to boost homeownership
The Government has announced various measures to assist with financial deregulation, aimed at accelerating economic growth and expanding access to homeownership.
A key reform is the introduction of a permanent government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme, enabling high loan-to-value mortgages for first-time buyers, effectively reducing deposit barriers. Alongside this, the Government plans to loosen loan-to-income (LTI) restrictions, a rule that typically restricts how much a person can borrow relative to their salary, allowing banks to offer more mortgages above the 4.5 x income threshold. These measures are projected to help an additional 36,000 first-time buyers secure financing in the first year.
For more information please click here.
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