Local Authority round-up 17 July 2026
17th July, 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.
Health and Social Care
Ministers have launched a crackdown on vapes marketed at kids with a shift to plain white packaging
Plans to stop vapes being marketed to children have been unveiled as part of a UK-wide consultation to introduce plain packaging and restrictions on flavour description rules, and keep vapes out of sight in shops.
Action on Smoking and Heath (ASH) reports that around one million 11-17 year olds in Great Britain reported trying vaping in 2025. Evidence suggests that colourful packaging, prominent retail displays and child-appealing flavours are among the factors driving young people to take it up.
As a result, the UK government and devolved governments have launched a consultation that includes proposals to reduce the appeal of vapes to young children, including white packaging with restrictions on text, colour, imagery and branding, as well as standardised product information.
There will also be restrictions on flavour names for example, simple recognisable descriptions and vape devices will be just white, black or grey.
For more information, please click here.
Every baby in England to get life-saving genetic test from birth
All babies across England will be tested for a rare but serious genetic condition from birth, giving them the best chance of successful treatment before symptoms appear.
The government will expand newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) throughout the country as part of an evaluation programme. It will begin later this year and hundreds of thousands of babies will be screened thanks to the expansion of the scheme.
SMA can leave babies unable to sit up, crawl or walk. In the most severe cases, it stops them from breathing or swallowing but, caught early enough, treatment can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.
The new test works through a simple heel prick to collect a small sample of blood from the baby, taken shortly after birth.
For more information, please click here.
Education
Department for Education launches consultation on EOTAS provision
The Department for Education is seeking views on improving support, quality and oversight for children and young people who are educated outside of school.
The consultation (launched 10th July) is for parents, carers, schools, local authorities and sector organisations.
It seeks views on how to strengthen arrangements for children and young people:
- Receiving special educational provision through an education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) arrangement.
- Not attending school and receiving alternative provision because of health reasons.
- Receiving alternative provision in accredited online education providers.
The DfE have launched the consultation to better understand how support can be improved, responsibilities clarified and how provision can be better assured. They are also seeking views on how arrangements can support improved outcomes, including progression and where appropriate, reintegration.
For more information, please click here.
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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