Briefings and responses

This briefing outlines the LGA’s views on the Social Housing Bill ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 1 June 2026.

The government launched a consultation on the New Towns Draft Programme, which sets out proposals to deliver a new generation of large-scale new towns across England. It was open from 23 March to 19 May 2026.

Consultation response from the LGA.

Ensuring local planning authorities have the resources they need to administer the planning system is critical; currently, nine out of ten planning departments report difficulties with recruitment, and almost all (97 per cent) report significant planning skills gaps.

The LGA response to the DCMS Tourism Inquiry, to ensure that the important role councils play in the visitor economy is recognised.

This briefing details the new Bills of relevance to local government and the LGA’s initial response to them.

Consultation response from the Local Government Association (LGA)

Government must be mindful of balancing interests of national growth with the role of local councils and councillors, as well as trust and democracy in the planning system.

Local government in England is currently going through a process which will result in the largest reorganisation since 1974. The areas impacted are shown below, however, clearly several areas and councils have gone through similar reorganisation in the recent past. The purpose of this briefing is to summarise the lessons learnt that have been drawn to together in numerous reports and publication, which are referenced at the end of this document, but focus with a particular adult social care (ASC) lens.

These FAQs are not an exhaustive list. We will continue to add new questions and answers as and when they arise.