Local Authority round-up – 04 April 2025
4th April, 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.
Health and Social Care
New services to be introduced at local pharmacies
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed it has agreed funding with Community Pharmacy England worth £617 million, to provide additional services to the community.
It is hoped that a greater range of services will not only improve access for patients, but will also afford General Practices additional time to manage and reduce waiting lists.
The additional services are said to include:
- offering patients suffering with depression support at pharmacies when they are prescribed antidepressants, to boost mental health support in the community;
- cutting red tape and bureaucracy to give patients easier access to consultations, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver prescriptions advice, Pharmacy First services and carrying out blood pressure checks; and
- boosting funding for medicine supply so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them.
For more information please click here.
Education
SEND provisions to receive £740 million in funding
£740 million is being invested by the Government to expand specialist units in mainstream schools and create new places in special schools, allowing 10,000 new school places to be offered to children with special educational needs (SEN).
It is reported that fewer than one in ten mainstream schools have SEN units or resourced provision, with latest data showing an escalating gap of 8,000 places in state special schools.
To supplement the additional funding, the Government is seeking to reform the SEN system to ensure that mainstream education providers are better equipped to identify and support children’s needs more efficiently.
For more information please click here.
Infrastructure
Government invests £302 million to rectify further education facilities
Further education (FE) colleges will receive £302 million in Government funding to rectify dilapidated facilities.
The Government is affording colleges the discretion and flexibility to decide how the funding should be spent, in an effort to recognise that providers are best placed to determine their own priorities to improve the condition, and prevent the deterioration of, their estate.
It is hoped that the funding will ensure FE colleges are able to attract and retain learners. This forms part of the Government’s plan to improve post-16 education opening up the possibility of further education to more young people.
For more information please click here.
Upcoming events
Healthcare Employment Law Update
As specialists in healthcare employment law, we will be delivering, on the 8th April at 10am, an employment law update covering recent issues facing employers in the healthcare sector.
We will look in particular at the case of Higgs v Farmor’s School, which dealt with discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief.
To book your place 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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