Local Authority round-up 02/08/24

Commercial

Government begins to commit to an increased living wage

The Government has overhauled the Low Pay Commission’s remit in order to allow the independent body to factor in the cost of living when recommending minimum wage rates. This forms part of the Government’s pledge to deliver a genuine living wage for working people.

The Business and Trade Secretary has also instructed the LPC to narrow the gap between the minimum wage rate for 18–20-year-olds and the National Living Wage. This is said to be the first step towards achieving a single adult rate.

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Planning and Housing

Government introduces long-term plan for housing

The Government has proposed to give all councils in England mandatory housing targets to pave the way to deliver their promise of 1.5 million more homes. This would reverse the decision by the Conservative Party which made housing targets explicitly advisory.

To help deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, councils would have to identify and prioritise ‘grey belt’ land for development which, the Government has said, includes land on the edge of existing settlements or roads, as well as old petrol stations and car parks.

It has been stressed that local authorities may need to review their green belt land if needed to meet their own target. Land released in the green belt would be subject to the Government’s ‘golden rules’, which make clear that development should deliver 50% affordable homes and put necessary infrastructure in place, such as schools and GP surgeries.

These changes would be followed by further reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, through which the Government is said to be introducing a national scheme of delegation. It is hoped that this will avoid potential development being reviewed excessively and should place more trust in skilled professional planners.

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Education

Government launches Skills England

The Government has announced the launch of Skills England to boost the nation’s skills in response to the fact that, between 2017 and 2022, skills shortages in this country doubled to more than half a million, and now account for 36% of job vacancies.

It is expected that Skills England will provide strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system. The Government has also stated that there will be a particular focus on developing the skilled workforce across construction and healthcare.

In addition to this, by working with the Migration Advisory Committee, Skills England will seek to reduce reliance on overseas workers.

To supplement this, Government has pledged to reform the apprenticeship levy in order to increase flexibility for businesses to fund the training they need.

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