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"As these figures show, more needs to be done to meet increasing demand and a huge amount of unmet need, with more than half a million adults estimated to have alcohol dependency, while a high proportion of those receiving treatment are living in the most deprived areas."

This insightful report on what social care directors are facing on the ground and what actions they want to see makes essential reading for government.

“Vaccination is ultimately our route out of this pandemic and the COVID-19 booster and flu jab programmes are mission critical to keeping our population safe and healthy this winter"

"Extra funding towards this target is helpful but more is needed if we are to truly scale up across the whole of local government."

Responding to the publication of the Government’s white paper on adult social care reform, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This much-anticipated white paper sets out a positive vision for the future of adult social care and it is right that it has been co-produced with and alongside people who draw on care and support. It is also encouraging to see the Care Act is the foundation upon which these reforms will be built, particularly the emphasis on housing, greater recognition of the workforce and skills, and prevention

The latest ONS figures on alcohol-specific deaths in the UK show there was an 18.6 per cent increase in deaths from alcohol-specific causes in 2020 compared with the previous year and was the highest year-on-year increase since records began.

Councils across the country continue to lead the local fight against the pandemic. However, the Government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund is set to end in March 2022, which poses a threat to councils' ability to ramp-up efforts in response to the Omicron variant.

“Councils and care providers have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic and continue to do all they can to support and protect those in their care.

Our response to the Government’s £22.5 million funding announcement to help areas with low vaccine uptake encourage hard to reach people to come forward.

Commenting on research undertaken by the London School of Economics (LSE)  and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance about increasing access to perinatal mental health care, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “As this stark research highlights, perinatal mental health problems occur during the period from conception to the child’s second birthday. If untreated and unsupported, these mental health problems can continue to affect mothers, and their families for years afterwards. In the UK, one in five are affected by maternal