Local authority round-up 13 February 2026
13th February, 2026
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.
Education
Student skills investment to boost the UK defence industry
Britain’s defence industry will benefit from an £80 million skills boost to help student’s gain the skills they need to build fighter jets of the future and protect the UK at the frontline of cyber defences.
Universities, colleges and other higher education providers in England will be able to bid for funding to increase opportunities for students on defence related courses which are vital to national security and defence industry requirements, with work also ongoing with devolved governments to access specific skill needs and funding options spread across the UK.
The £80 million investment is the largest single investment within the £182 million Defence Industrial Strategy skills package, showcasing the government’s commitment to ensuring the defence sector has what it needs to succeed in the future.
Courses in engineering and computer science will be the primary focus of the investment, given their critical importance to national security and the defence industry.
For more information, please click here.
Local Government Association claims eight in ten councils will become insolvent over “mounting deficits” related to the cost of providing SEND support
As of January 2025, there were just shy of 640,000 Education, Health and Care Plans in place, a number which has increased each year since its introduction in 2014.
While the Local Government Association (LGA) warn they are committed to upholding all children and young people’s entitlements with SEND needs, they are clear the system needs urgent reform in order for children and young people to receive the high-quality support they need.
Councils are currently able to keep high needs deficits off their main balance sheets through a temporary mechanism known as a “statutory override”. However, the statutory override is due to end in March 2028 and when it does, councils feel they will not be able to set a balanced general fund budget in 2028/29.
Without action, the LGA said this risks “undermining their ability to plan sustainable services and improve outcomes for children and families”. The concern stems from despite record levels of investment and the high rate of assessment and identification needs, there is no clear evidence that outcomes for children with SEND have been improving.
For more information, please click here.
Health & social care
Aspiring social workers set to receive targeted financial support
Social work students will receive more targeted financial support where there is the greatest need, including those from low-income backgrounds. It will also seek feedback from universities, social work students, social workers, local authorities and NHS trusts to maximise the effectiveness of the existing Social Work Bursary and the Education Support Grant.
These existing financial supports provide £50 million annually to support social work students and have provided support since 2003. However, the uptake of Social Work Bursary has declined in recent years, with around 1,500 unclaimed bursaries in 2024-2025 out of the 4,000 available.
The proposed changes to social workers financial supports will bring down barriers and aim to improve access to a vital career.
For more information, please click here.
Upcoming events
Employment Rights Act 2025 – What you need to know
The Employment Rights Act 2025 represents the biggest change to employment law in a decade, introducing a number of changes over the coming months and years.
This free webinar is designed to provide clear, practical guidance on what those changes mean in real terms – and how to approach them in a proportionate and manageable way.
Register here to join Laura Darnley, James English and Katie Adams as they take you through the A-Z of the reforms – from agency workers to zero hours contracts, and everything in between.
HR Conversations
The Employment Rights Act represents the biggest shift in employment law in decades. In this session, we will outline the key changes and provide practical guidance to help you prepare for what’s ahead. Following popular demand, we will also use the session to explore the challenges of managing toxic employees in the workplace.
Come join a relaxed, invite-only event where HR professionals can openly talk about the real challenges they’re facing at work. It’s a safe, judgment-free space to share experiences, ask for advice, and swap ideas with people who truly get what it’s like to be in HR.
Whether it’s plans to enhance workplace culture, tricky team dynamics, tough conversations, or navigating change, this is your chance to connect with others who understand – and maybe walk away with some fresh perspectives, too.
You can register for this event here.
International Women’s Day
You and your colleagues are invited to join us for our 9th International Women’s Day celebration (formally an Endeavour Partnership event), exploring this year’s theme of Give to Gain.
Our approach to the theme focuses on the importance of investment by organisations and individuals, and the lasting impact it can have. Through our sub-theme, Empowering Women, Strengthening Business, we will look at how access to education, development and alternative routes into careers enables women to build confidence, capability and opportunity at every stage.
The event will centre around a panel discussion, bringing together senior leaders and industry experts to share practical insight and lived experience. Together we will explore what meaningful investment looks like in practice, from professional development and skills-building to inclusive leadership, non-traditional career pathways and personal growth.
The afternoon will begin with arrival drinks and informal networking. Guests will then enjoy Wynyard Hall’s afternoon tea before the panel discussion, which will be followed by an interactive Q&A session, offering the opportunity to engage directly with our speakers and continue the conversation.
You can secure your tickets here.
Procurement and public law update
Our in-person Procurement and Public Law Update covers the new procurement rules and their increased transparency requirements.
This seminar will look at what those changes have meant in practice since both the new Act and the new NHS regime came into force. We will give practical tips on how to manage procurements now and how to deal with the risks of challenge when the timescales are so tight.
Register here to join this free session with procurement law experts Tim Care and Matthew Brady.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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