On Day One Labour in local government's priorities for the next Labour Government
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On Day One Labour in local government’s priorities for the next Labour Government How a Jeremy Corbyn-led administration could work with local government to deliver for the many, not the few Edited by Pete Robbins and Hannah Lazell
Published by the Local Government Association Labour Group, 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ. Designed and printed by Karian and Box. © Andrew Gwynne, Nick Forbes, Sharon Taylor, Richard Watts, Linda Thomas, Lib Peck, Peter Box, Rishi Shori, Judith Blake, Debbie Wilcox, Simon Henig, Amy Cross, Michael Payne Acknowledgements The editors wish to thank all of the authors for their contributions. Thanks also to the wider LGA Labour Group, and to Martin Angus, Lewis Addlington-Lee, Griffin Neal, Greg Dash, Steve Raw and Heather Corbett. 2 On Day One
Foreword
Andrew Gwynne MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities
and Local Government
Across the country, year after year of cuts As we prepare for a future Labour
have stretched local authorities to breaking government, we must learn from the
point. As the sector struggles to cope with innovations that have made a difference
decreasing funding and financial uncertainty, and given people in our areas real hope
demand for children’s services and adult social during these difficult times.
care has continued to rise – for every £1 of
council tax collected in 2019/20, as much as The messages of ‘On Day One’ are clear:
56p could be spent on caring for the elderly, that the future of our country cannot be
vulnerable adults and children. When faced formulated by politicians in Westminster,
with choices; of where to cut, and where but needs to be built in partnership with
to invest the government has continued to local leaders and local people, in towns,
show that they do not understand the real cities, and counties across the country.
life, human challenges facing this country. That devolving power to a local level gives
Labour an opportunity to show people that
In challenging times, the work of Labour we trust them to make decisions and take
councillors has become even more important. control of their own lives. And that if local
Local government has suffered the biggest government is properly funded then it can
austerity cuts of any part of Government help the next Labour government deliver
– with Labour communities hit the hardest. the improved vital public services our
But despite this, our Labour councils are communities desperately need.
still leading the way both as the frontline of
government for our communities, and often Despite the challenges that local government
as the last line of defence. Labour councils has faced, our Labour local government family
have demonstrated leadership and innovation continues to be at the forefront of delivering
in the toughest of times, delivering new the better, fairer, and more equal society that
community facilities, world class transport we all strive for. This publication helps show
systems, creating ground-breaking energy that under the next Labour government it
networks, using technology to improve social can be central to ensuring that we are able
care services, and building greener and more to put those values back where they belong –
sustainable towns and cities. at the heart of our national life.
On Day One 3
Introduction
Local government can
help Labour deliver
from Day One
Cllr Nick Forbes
Leader of LGA Labour Group and
Leader of Newcastle Council
@nick_forbes
Local government offers a golden
opportunity for a future Prime Minister
Jeremy Corbyn to make an immediate
and visible difference to people’s lives
4 On Day One
Introduction – Local government can help Labour deliver from Day One
Cllr Nick Forbes
Why ‘On Day One’?
The original idea behind ‘On Day One’ was simple – that leading Labour councillors
from across England and Wales should lay out the immediate challenges facing
local government, and to describe how they should be met ‘On Day One’ of a
future Labour government led by Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn. The authors have
accomplished that task, but on reading the essays together I have been struck
by the emergence of another, more compelling theme: that if the next Labour
government wants to deliver immediate and visible change for the many, not
the few then the fastest and most direct route to achieving it lies through
local government.
Reversing the damage of austerity
Since 2010 Labour councillors have had hellish choices presented to us, but we
have never shirked the need to take decisions, however unpalatable they have been.
We have listened to and worked with our communities to understand their priorities.
We have examined every budget line and stretched every pound left available to us.
But as each of the essays from Richard Watts, Linda Thomas and Peter Box show,
austerity has had a devastating effect on key public services that provide protection
to the most vulnerable members of our society – children at risk, disabled adults and
older people who require support, and the many families who are barely getting by
despite being in work. On Day One of the next Labour government an immediate
priority must be to reverse the damage wrought by austerity – council budgets are
now so tight that there is no room to cope with the extra pressures which we know
are coming. The Local Government Association has clearly set out the size of the
funding gap in local government – the calculated shortfall is £5.8bn by 2019/20,
plus £1.3bn that is needed to stabilise the care system, £7.1bn in total. Labour must
urgently commit to meeting this desperately-needed investment, but it is also
vital that we also give councils the freedom to implement the right solutions for
their areas.
On Day One 5
Introduction – Local government can help Labour deliver from Day One Cllr Nick Forbes Fair funding and financial freedoms The next Labour government will be under immediate pressure to make a difference to the lives of those who have suffered from austerity – and they will need local government to do it. Since 2010 we have used our creativity and experience to find innovative ways to best defend those we were elected to protect – a task that has given Labour councils no pleasure, but in which they should rightly take pride. If Labour councils can achieve so much despite the constraints of austerity, can you imagine what we could do with the tools and resources we need? It is this very experience of squeezing extra value out of increasingly scarce resources that shows why John McDonnell should empower local government with a central role in dismantling austerity – and give councils the freedom to take those decisions for themselves. Sharon Taylor’s chapter also makes an important argument about the opportunity offered by shifting public spending away from crisis management, and into early intervention and prevention. A Labour government committed to making a permanent and irreversible shift in the economy would do well to consider making a wholesale change to the system by which we measure the value of a public service intervention, and how we deliver social justice. Trusting in localism In this publication Labour in local government makes a clear argument in favour of a bigger role for the state, but also argues that the state must be better – and that evidence shows that this is best achieved locally, not from Whitehall. The state under Labour must not be an all-powerful, distant and centralised government, but a local, accountable, and inclusive state, where power is shared with communities. Judith Blake outlines how real devolution – not the skin-deep version offered by this government – could become the driver of an economic recovery that benefits the many. Innovation and creativity must be encouraged and nurtured, not stifled. 6 On Day One
Introduction – Local government can help Labour deliver from Day One
Cllr Nick Forbes
Key priorities of elected national government will still be vitally important, but
ministers will need to give freedom to local communities to decide how they are
implemented in their areas. Lib Peck outlines why this is so important: the next
Labour government must learn from one of the major criticisms of the previous one,
and resist the temptation to meddle from Whitehall or constrain councils with ring-
fencing. Crucially, Labour in government will need to become comfortable with the
inevitable result of decentralised power and localised decision-making – that there
will be varying outcomes in different areas. This should be welcomed as a route to
finding new and better solutions to improving the quality of public services, or at the
very least tolerated as a necessary by-product of giving communities more control.
Building local identity
Localism makes sense in terms of delivering efficient and improved public services,
but there is a much more powerful political argument too. Many communities in our
country expressed how they have felt a loss of identity, and an impression that they
no longer have control over their own lives. This was most obviously manifested
in the vote to leave the European Union, but the chance to stick two fingers up at
Westminster would probably prove just as popular. Local government is connected
with our communities, and built on foundations of openness, transparency, and
accountability. We don’t pretend that giving more power and freedom to councils
and local communities would be a magical panacea that would restore faith in
the political system at a stroke, but the public have always placed significantly
more trust in their local council than in the national government. Local people can
have much more subtle and engaging conversations with their local politicians
about what’s right for their area than they could dream of having with a national
government. And this is exactly what creates a better sense of place, and a stronger
local identity. This offers the next Labour government a real way of being able
to meaningfully return power and control to people who would otherwise feel
increasingly shut out of the system.
On Day One 7
Introduction – Local government can help Labour deliver from Day One Cllr Nick Forbes Harnessing the experience of local leadership In Labour council leaders and councillors the next Labour government has a ready- made army that can deliver results from the very first day in power. They offer a deep well of experience that the next Labour government can draw from, as I hope you will realise from reading this book. The contributions here are just the tip of the iceberg – there are currently over 120 Labour council leaders in England and Wales, each an expert on their local area and each with a profound knowledge of public service delivery gained from operating at the frontline of the state. They deserve the trust of Labour in government – as Amy Cross outlines in her contribution, councillors are the most accountable members of the party – rightly answerable to residents, local members, and party bodies. And councillors also deserve a wider voice in the Labour Party – with better representation on the NEC, and opportunities for leading councillors to work together with the next Labour government, as suggested by Simon Henig. 8 On Day One
Introduction – Local government can help Labour deliver from Day One
Cllr Nick Forbes
Delivering for the many, not the few
If a future Prime Minister Corbyn unshackles local government from the stifling
constraints of Whitehall, and asks councils to put power back in the hands of
communities, then we could start to see genuine and radical change in days,
not years.
The fastest way to end the housing crisis? Give Labour councils the freedom to
build a new generation of council housing, as Rishi Shori sets out in his chapter,
and councils could start work on building new homes within weeks.
Need to spread growth and prosperity across the whole of the UK? Devolve real
power to our regions and our cities, and learn from the experiences of the Welsh
Labour government working hand in hand with Labour councils, as described by
Debbie Wilcox.
Want to ensure every child is given the chance to succeed? Let councils invest in
the early help services that we know guarantee better outcomes for children at a
lower cost, and restore the power of councils to ensure every child has a place at
an excellent local school.
In almost every area in which Labour wants to make our country fairer, local
government is better placed to make it happen than central government. With
sufficient funding and greater freedom to take decisions over vital services in their
areas local councils can generate economic growth, build new homes, strengthen
communities, and provide compassionate care and sustainable support for our most
vulnerable people. And thanks to the contributions in this book, you’ll see that under
a Labour Government, Labour councils could do it On Day One.
On Day One 9
Labour would reap the
rewards of investing in
local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
Leader of Stevenage Council
@sharonstevenage
Sharon Taylor argues councils are Labour’s
most powerful weapon to destroy
austerity
10 On Day OneLabour would reap the rewards of investing in local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
In many ways it is deeply ironic that As my colleagues outline elsewhere in this
the first local authority to have publication, the combination of funding cuts
collapsed under the weight of austerity and rising demand for adult social care and
piled upon it by a Tory government children’s services offer a real threat to the
should be Tory-run Northamptonshire vital services for the most vulnerable. And
County Council. Whilst failures of the need to put every spare penny towards
local leadership will certainly have keeping these services going has had a
made it worse, be in no doubt that significant knock-on effect – almost 60%
Tory austerity has been the direct of council expenditure is likely to be spent
cause the financial crisis facing caring for vulnerable children and adults
Northamptonshire – and that other by 2020, leaving increasingly little to fund
councils could soon be following them. other services, like cleaning streets, running
leisure centres and libraries, and supporting
Austerity has been a disaster for local community safety. This unprecedented
government – or more importantly, a disaster pressure led even Tory council leader Lord
for the residents who rely on the hundreds Gary Porter to demand that councils are “at
of vital services that councils offer. Perhaps the front of the queue” for new funding if
what is most astonishing is that it is only “austerity is coming to an end”. The problem
now that councils like Northamptonshire being that there is no evidence whatsoever
are starting to collapse, considering the that Theresa May or Philip Hammond think
level of cuts that have been made since austerity should come to an end – or even
2010 under the cloak of austerity. The that they are listening.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Local Government, which provides councils This would have been different under
with most of their funding in the form of a Labour government – we are an anti-
Revenue Support Grant (RSG), was hardest austerity party, and the 2017 Labour
hit by the cuts – welcomed with glee by manifesto included a commitment to find
then Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. As an immediate £2 billion for local government,
a result, and despite council tax increasing, which would have helped fill the £5.8 billion
council spending power will be 22% lower in gap we face by 2020. But despite making
2018 than 2010. unexpected gains from the Tories we lost
the election – and austerity continues.
On Day One 11Labour would reap the rewards of investing in local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
While Labour councillors have rightly Whether it was the Gershon Review, Best
attacked and opposed austerity, and have Value, or area-based budgets, councils have
done all they can to highlight the unfairness always been asked to do more with less, and
of loading the cuts onto the backs of those they have almost always delivered. Labour
that can least afford to carry them, we councillors continue to have to do this
have never shrunk from the challenge of because we don’t have the luxury of waiting
maintaining Labour values in the delivery of for the next Labour government – we have
local services. to fight every day to protect our friends,
neighbours, and fellow
“Council spending power will be citizens who rely on us.
22% lower in 2018 than 2010” But it is this very experience
of stretching every penny
Labour councils are increasingly faced with of the increasingly scarce resources at our
impossible choices – but at no point have disposal – put to the test even more by the
they been tempted to abandon the people last eight years of austerity – that offers a
who have placed their trust in them. They glimpse of what Labour in local government
have examined every budget line to cut could deliver if we were properly funded, and
out every ounce of fat they could find, in freed from the centralising constraints of
an increasingly desperate attempt to shield Whitehall.
their communities from the Tories cuts –
what Jeremy Corbyn has praised as ‘amazing An early task for the next Labour
creativity in the toughest of times’. Government is finding a way to make
local government funding fairer and
But anyone with any direct experience of more transparent – and to increase our
working in local government will know that independence from central government.
it has always been the most efficient, and Although councils are responsible for about
the most resilient, part of the public sector. £1 in every £4 of government spending, we
Before anyone had even heard of ‘austerity’ are responsible for raising less than 10%
councils have been focused on improving of taxes – making England one of Europe’s
efficiency. most centralised countries. There is currently
little ability for councils to raise taxes
other than council tax, which is becoming
increasingly regressive.
12 On Day OneLabour would reap the rewards of investing in local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
Council tax itself needs complete reform – But the next Communities Secretary
it results in distorted and unfair comparisons could argue for some increased freedoms
between neighbouring areas. This is made for councils from Day One – based on
worse by the widespread misunderstanding recognition that councils are democratic,
that council tax is how councils get the transparent, and accountable, and that
majority of their income – which means many councillors can be trusted not to overstep
people are understandably baffled when the boundaries of acceptability set by
they see services being cut despite council regular interactions with the ballot box.
tax bills going up.
This should include immediate abolition of
Any new system of local government finance the council tax referendum limit, increased
should also increase the independence of powers to levy higher council tax on empty
local government from the Treasury. The homes, and the ability to look at local taxes
current solution to this is to replace Revenue such as land value tax, tourism tax, and
Support Grant (RSG), which previously possibly even local retention of a portion
formed the largest income for most councils, of income tax. Councils running schemes
with the ability to retain up to 75% of local that are of benefit to the public good – for
business rates. By 2020 the Government will instance responsible licensing of landlords,
have reduced RSG by the equivalent of 77p should be able to be run on full cost-recovery
in the pound, leaving councils almost entirely basis, and councils should be free to set –
reliant on council tax, business rates, and and levy – larger fines for anti-social crimes
local charges. Increasing council’s financial such as fly-tipping. Councils should also be
independence is a step in the right direction, freed to borrow capital where it will be used
but many Labour councils have a very low to invest in infrastructure that will support
council tax base and little genuine ability to future growth. We should be able to use the
attract new rate-paying businesses. Many combined spending power we have from
more councils could go the same way as procurement, investment and pensions to
Northamptonshire, unless a new and fairer the maximum benefit for community wealth
way of redistribution is found by the next building in our local economies. Labour
Labour government. This is a huge task, councils have made a start on this around
and unless work begins in opposition there the country but there are still technical and
is little hope that the first day of a Labour legal obstacles which a Labour government
government would have an immediate could help remove.
long-term solution – not least because it
should rightly be jointly agreed with local
government, rather than handed down by
the Treasury.
On Day One 13Labour would reap the rewards of investing in local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
Another immediate win for Labour would be Almost all of the successful evidence-based
to commit to fully replacing the £8.4 billion early intervention programmes are located
UK-wide funding gap for local communities in local government – despite the crushing
that will open up at the point we officially weight of austerity that has understandably
exit the EU, and ensure a viable locally-led forced councils to divert resources to the
successor to EU regional funding is put ‘sharp end’ of social problems. It is mostly
in place. All of these solutions could be understood through the prism of supporting
brought in quickly, while the harder job of children – where overwhelming evidence
finding a truly sustainable long-term funding shows that investment in supporting the
settlement continues. crucial first 1000 days of a child’s life results
in significantly better health,
“If we have one message for John social, educational and
economic outcomes across
McDonnell on his first day as the whole of child’s life – but
its logic extends to almost
Chancellor it is that he must force all public services, including
the Treasury to grasp the nettle criminal justice, skills and
health and crucially to our role
of early intervention” in delivering decent homes.
The freedom to innovate and increased Crucially, for a Labour government that will
self-reliance would also allow councils to be grappling with the need to avoid being
put in practice what we have called for over labelled as irresponsible spenders, early
many years, a real and radical approach intervention offers real and significant
to public services that could make lasting long-term savings in public spending. If we
improvements in the lives of our citizens, had one message for John McDonnell on
to prevent many of the most enduring his first day as Chancellor it is that he must
social problems and to stop the misery of force the Treasury to grasp the nettle of
social injustice being handed on from one early intervention – not just for children
generation to the next: early intervention. and young people, but across the whole
spectrum of social policy. The rewards are
enormous – in better and more worthwhile
lives for millions of our fellow citizens, in real
and measurable gains in social justice, and in
real long-term savings to the public purse.
14 On Day OneLabour would reap the rewards of investing in local councils
Cllr Sharon Taylor
If John McDonnell wants to see an
irreversible shift in the balance of wealth
in favour of working people, then he must
take steps to ensure a similarly permanent
shift in the balance of power from Whitehall
to local communities. By trusting in local
government’s democratic accountability,
understanding of communities, and
experience of making every pound count,
he can deliver immediate and visible
improvements to people’s lives. And by
investing in our ability to deliver early
help to people who need it, and who
might otherwise be a huge drain on public
resources, he can deliver both social justice
and long term savings to the Treasury.
It is local government – efficient,
transparent, and closer to communities than
any civil servant sitting in Whitehall could
ever dream of being – that can be the most
powerful weapon in destroying the effects
of Tory austerity. It will be up to the next
Labour government to unleash it.
On Day One 15The importance of
having the best start
in life
Cllr Richard Watts
Leader of Islington Council
@richardwatts01
Richard Watts sets out how Labour in
government can ensure that every child
has the opportunity to thrive
16 On Day OneThe importance of having the best start in life
Cllr Richard Watts
At the heart of a Labour government of locally designed comprehensive family
elected to make difference for the support services. We know the first few
many, not the few, must be the years of a child’s development are incredibly
commitment to give every child and important for a whole range of issues, and
young person the best start in life, that’s why we need a clear commitment to
no matter their background. re-establish a comprehensive model of a
Children’s Centre in each local community.
For too many people, the circumstances into
which they are born are still the determinant Building on the legacy of the Sure Start
of their life chances. But Labour councils programme, which brought together many
have shown that, given the right support, different services in a place that was
we can tackle inequality in our communities. accessible to parents, a Labour government
needs to continue to build wraparound
In the face of Tory austerity, Labour councils support that puts children and families
across the country have worked incredibly first. Local councils are uniquely placed to
hard to protect services for children and bring together vital support for children and
young people that help them start life well. families, and to develop more comprehensive
From Children’s Centres to support for the support. From play and early education
most vulnerable, Labour councillors have opportunities for children, to employment
demonstrated their values by protecting advice for parents; local councils need
these vital services as far as possible. But the freedom and funding to develop local
we cannot escape the reality that doing so networks of support services provided in
comes at the price of savings elsewhere. community-based settings.
The first priority of an incoming Labour
government must be to immediately provide The flexibility that councils must have
local councils with the funding we need to develop programmes that tackle the
to deliver the services children and young challenges local communities face should
people rely on in order to thrive. be extended to how genuinely affordable
childcare operates. The expansion of support
The short-sightedness of the Tories’ for working families with 3 and 4 year-olds
austerity agenda is clearest to see from the is clearly welcomed, but the prescriptive
impact it has had on Sure Start Children’s manner in which the Government has
Centres. More than 500 Children’s Centres introduced it has proven problematic for
have closed since 2010 in England thanks to families and for providers.
government cuts imposed on local councils,
depriving children of vital support which
we know gives them a great start in life.
Children’s Centres must be at the heart
On Day One 17The importance of having the best start in life
Cllr Richard Watts
What is needed is more flexibility for how All this has been allowed to happen whilst
funding can be used, appreciating that the Tories persist with cuts to schools
not all families will need the same type of that will certainly hit schools in the least
support, and that this funding could be used well-off areas hardest. This risks undoing
to support alternative provision. Recognising years of progress that has seen educational
that one-size fits all models, however outcomes and the quality of local schools
appealing to our universalist instincts, deny transformed. A Labour government must
local areas the ability to design services that seek to level funding up for schools to
work for their varying needs must be a core that of areas where investment and local
principle in a genuinely radical and reforming accountability have delivered improving
Labour government. results and standards.
“Children’s Centres must be at We know that the public want
more accountability over their
the heart of locally-designed public services to ensure they
are run effectively and with
comprehensive family support the interests of local people
services” put first. As a first step in a
two-stage process of reform,
Unlike Labour’s clear vision for a a Labour government must give its full
comprehensive education that trusts backing to the need for local accountability
teachers and backs local accountability, for all schools. At the heart of this approach
the Tories have presided over a disastrous is the principle that every state funded
ideological fragmentation of the education school must be locally accountable.
system. The Gove era ‘reforms’ have left in
their wake a trail of failed attempts to force Whilst it would be tempting to simply rip-up
competition into the system, at the expense everything that the Tory government has
of improving standards. imposed since 2010, the lengthy legislative,
and likely legal, process of doing so would
distract from getting our education
system back on track. Whilst we clearly
want a more cohesive school system with
local accountability, our focus must be on
standards, not status of schools. It’s been a
long time since councils ‘ran’ schools, but a
constructive relationship of challenge and
support between councils and schools must
be the basis for all types of schools.
18 On Day OneThe importance of having the best start in life
Cllr Richard Watts
The fragmented schools system means that Many of these schools have now closed, or
a growing number are not receiving effective failed to open in the first place. The bizarre
support or scrutiny. A Labour government position where local councils are responsible
that believes in collective solutions to the for providing sufficient school places,
challenges our society faces must ensure whilst having their ability to open new local
academies are part of the local family of authority maintained schools constrained,
schools, benefiting from mutual support and must end. A Labour government needs to
challenge, and working together to support allow councils to build new schools, with
local communities. funding support, and support councils to
expand existing well performing schools.
There is no good reason why councils and
maintained schools should not have the Whilst the pressure on all council services
power to take over failing academies and has been growing thanks to Tory austerity
Free Schools if they have an excellent track and demographic changes, there is
record in school improvement. Combined increasing recognition that it is in vital
with these new freedoms, giving councils children’s services where this pressure is
powers and responsibilities for place- becoming most concerning. The LGA has
planning, school admissions, and protecting estimated that the situation with children’s
vulnerable children that apply equally to social care services, which support some of
all schools, a Labour government would be the most vulnerable people in our society, is
enabling local areas to shape education in simply not sustainable. Councils are facing a
a sustainable way. £2 billion funding gap for children’s services
by 2020, and councils have seen an 83%
Local councils also need to be given the increase in children on child protection plans
freedom to open new schools where they over the past decade. It is abundantly clear
are needed. The Free School programme that a Labour government must address this
has sunk hundreds of millions of pounds funding black hole that affects those who
into purchasing expensive, and often can least afford for services to be under
inappropriate premises, to open schools such pressure.
in areas where there are surplus places.
Children’s services, like much of the work
local councils do, help tackle issues early
by providing the support children and young
people need. This model of early help and
prevention has been pioneered by local
councils.
On Day One 19The importance of having the best start in life
Cllr Richard Watts
We need a government that recognises The LGA has called for a rollout of
to go further and to help reduce pressures independent counselling in all secondary
on other public services, local councils schools. Evidence shows that on-site
need financial support to develop targeted independent counselling services have
intervention services. seen a reduction in psychological stress
in pupils that have access to it, as well as
Take mental health; at least one in ten improvement in behaviour and educational
children and young people are affected achievements. Supporting this affordable
by mental health problems – with the policy would deliver a meaningful difference
unreported figure likely to be far higher. for many children and young people.
We also know that over half of all mental
ill health starts before the age of 14, yet Local councils play a central role in our
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services communities for people of all ages. But it
(CAMHS) are being starved of support. The can be said that it is with children and young
historical underfunding of these services is people where determined local councils can
compounded by the fact that only 6.7 per make the biggest difference. When properly
cent of mental health spending is spent on funded and given the powers we need,
services for children and young people. local councils can provide the early help and
support that children and young people need
It is estimated that around three quarters to achieve their full potential. From Children’s
of young people are not able to access Centres providing support in the community,
the support they need, and those that do to support for care leavers transitioning into
have to wait far too long, leading to issues adult life; Labour councils across the country
escalating and becoming more complex. A are putting Labour values into practice
Labour government that wants to see a true every day.
parity of esteem between physical health
and mental health must recognise that local A Labour government working alongside
councils through CAMHS services need the local Labour councils towards our shared
support to play their part. ambition of making our country a fairer place
for all is a partnership that will make
. a difference for the many, not the few.
20 On Day OneThe importance of having the best start in life
Cllr Richard Watts
“There is no good reason why
councils and maintained schools
should not have the power to
take over failing academies and
Free Schools”
On Day One 21A Labour approach
to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
Leader of Bolton Council
@LindaThomasUK
Linda Thomas sets out how Labour can
fix the current social care crisis – and meet
the challenge of finding a sustainable
long-term solution to changing
demographics
22 On Day OneA Labour approach to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
Successive governments have been The Government’s one-off investment of
warned time and time again that £2bn over three years runs out in 2020, and
shifting demographics are storing up a allowing councils to levy an extra 3% precept
ticking time bomb in future demand for on council tax simply shifts the burden of a
care for older people. People are living national crisis onto local residents. Council
longer, and more people are living with tax rises also raise very little in the deprived
long-term and complex chronic health areas that require extra money most.
conditions that require managing
through care. And while the UK may not The new ‘Adult Social Care Support Grant’
yet be in the same position as Japan – introduced in 2018 is not new money and
where more nappies for adults are now was instead created from savings in the New
sold than for babies – we are certainly Homes Bonus – it is literally a rebadging of
heading that way. funding already promised to councils, and
its creation actually leaves some councils
Social care continues to receive increased worse off overall as they lose more in New
media attention and is subject to frequent Homes Bonus payments than they gain in
public debate. But despite many years grant. Even after these changes, adult social
of intensive lobbying by politicians, care still faces an immediate and annually
charities, and other interested parties, recurring gap of £1.3 billion, which is the
this Government continues to prevaricate, difference between what care providers
offering sticking plaster solutions. say they need and what councils currently
pay – and as a result there will be an overall
There is little hope that this Tory funding gap of £2.2 billion by 2020.
government will do what is needed to
meet this future challenge, when they So it will be up the next Labour government
have caused the current crisis in social care to solve both the current social care crisis
– where austerity cuts have created the and also to find a sensible approach to
perfect storm and put huge pressure on meeting the longer term challenge. Ensuring
local councils and the NHS alike. Since 2010, our most vulnerable fellow citizens receive
councils have dealt with a £6 billion funding the care and support they need to live in
gap in adult social care services. This has dignity and comfort is fundamental to our
been met through £3.4 billion of savings to Labour values.
adult social care and £2.6 billion taken from
additional savings to other services.
On Day One 23A Labour approach to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
Making the right choices about how to The Better Care Fund was meant to be a
meet this challenge, and navigating the catalyst to encourage and formalise joint
key demographic issue of the twenty-first commissioning of services, but while there
century, could be the biggest decision the are examples of very good practice these
next Labour government has to make. are not uniform and depend very much on
Unless we want to see the whole of local trust and good relationships between local
government bankrupted by the growing cost government and NHS colleagues.
of social care, the next Labour government
needs an immediate plan of action and a With new funding, councils will be able to
determination to implement it On Day One. implement new ways of working. The acute
sector is still finding it nigh
on impossible to close beds,
“Since 2010, councils have dealt which is where the savings to
with a £6 billion funding gap in implement integration were
meant to arise. Even models
adult social care services” such as health devolution
in Greater Manchester with
There is no escaping the fact that what is transformation funding are struggling
most desperately needed from the next under financial pressures. The model to
Labour government is a serious injection date has seen joint commissioning as the
of funding – starting with meeting the accepted route to encouraging joint working
immediate gap of £2.2bn. Funding councils in the community. Integrated teams are
properly would create immediate better established around neighbourhoods of tens
outcomes for people who need support, and of thousands of people with GP practices
would have a knock-on saving to acute costs working as part of community teams across
in the NHS. Government attempts to divert both sectors.
attention from this central failure to invest
the necessary funding have been misguided Adequate funding would also help find the
and overly bureaucratic. crucial missing piece of the jigsaw: homecare.
Local government is finding it increasingly
difficult to commission homecare at rates
that allow providers to pay wages that are
commensurate to the value of caring for our
most vulnerable people, or to provide the
level of care that service users really need.
24 On Day OneA Labour approach to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
Many care workers across the UK have to If the next Labour government was able
work just 15 minute visits which leave them to provide the investment we need then
unable to provide the care that is needed, all Labour councils would be able to afford
and many are not paid for their travel time to meet these commitments – and our
between visits. Some work on zero-hours manifesto pledge of introducing a £10
contracts, and receive just the minimum minimum wage would also help to improve
wage. These poor practices are bad for care the attractiveness of homecare work, and
workers (who are mostly women) and bad for result in a more motivated workforce with
those receiving care too – vulnerable people higher status. Councils would also be able
often have to experience many different to integrate care workers into integrated
care workers at a time in their lives where Health and Care Teams.
they need stability and daily certainty for
their most personal care. Care workers should be seen as an integral
part of Neighbourhood Teams, working
Many Labour councils have prioritised closely with all professionals. By encouraging
addressing this challenge by adopting recruitment of care workers from the locality,
Unison’s Ethical Care Charter, designed to benefits would accrue from not having to
ensure both decent care for vulnerable pay for long periods of travelling time. And
adults and good employment standards for we could improve pathways into other health
care workers. Councils that have signed up work from initially becoming a care worker,
agree to pay at least the real Living Wage and they should be on offer to make it an
to all care workers, to schedule care visits attractive proposition for those who want
according to the needs of the individual-with this opportunity. Greater Manchester’s Care
care workers given enough time to provide 2020 model would progress us well down
the care needed-and pay care workers for this route.
travel time.
Relieving the terrible cost pressures on
Other measures include offering homecare social care would allow councils to focus on
workers regular training and ensuring what experts know can make the biggest
providers have clear and accountable difference to the looming cost pressures of
procedures for care workers to raise demographic change – early intervention and
concerns about the wellbeing of the people prevention. If low-level needs are prevented
they are caring for. (or even delayed) from developing into
more serious or acute needs then both the
individual and the state benefits.
On Day One 25A Labour approach to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
Effective early intervention and prevention One suggestion would be to set the
increases independence, improves quality eligibility criteria, allow people to choose
of life, and provides a financial return to the the sort of care and support they require,
state (irrespective of whether that is the and then for it to be free. This is a truly
NHS or the local council) by reducing the use person-centred approach and the savings
of expensive acute services. in the system would come from no longer
requiring an army of commissioners to
Truly effective interventions are locally dictate how many minutes and hours an
designed – preventative early intervention individual should have – and it would most
will not work if it is attempted to be remotely certainly crack that thorny issue of fifteen
imposed from Whitehall, or even by the minute visits! This system is operated
highly centralised and bureaucratic NHS. successfully abroad and is worthy of
This is why it is vital that local councils retain consideration by a Labour government.
control of social care – and why many in
local government are suspicious of what It would end the unfairness of a postcode
may lay behind the concept of a ‘National lottery for home care, as entitlement once
Care Service’. If Labour introduces a National acknowledged would have to be guaranteed.
Care Service that offers a one size fits all We also need to ensure that people are able
approach, rather than bespoke local services, to be as independent as they want to be
then it will fail – and be highly inefficient and within the social care system. Where this
wasteful too. But if the concept involves system has been introduced people have not
setting national criteria for care eligibility abused the system and only requested what
and thresholds for charging, then properly they felt they needed not dictated to by a
and fairly funding both local government and professional – surprisingly many request less.
the NHS to jointly deliver integrated care
in the most appropriate way for their local Integration of health and social care systems
population, then it will be a success. should be on the basis of the NHS and local
government being equal
partners. When a Health
“If Labour introduces a National and Care plan is agreed on
Care Service that offers a one the basis of evidence from a
Joint Needs Assessment the
size fits all approach, rather than spending on that plan should
bespoke local services, then it have a mechanism where it is
jointly agreed, implemented,
will fail” and monitored.
26 On Day OneA Labour approach to social care
Cllr Linda Thomas
For the first time ever this would make As a Labour Party our whole philosophy is
Health and Social Care governance truly encapsulated in our proudest achievement –
accountable. In order to do this, the Health the introduction 70 years ago of a National
and Social Care Act 2012 would need Health Service that guarantees all citizens,
reversing, which is also important if we are irrespective of their circumstance, access
to end the private sector infiltration of our to free health care at the point of need. It
health system. should be the mission of the next Labour
government to establish another equally
The crucial decision for the next Labour sustainable and iconic system, that will
government will be finding a sustainable also endure for 70 years or more – and that
funding solution for those who need long- offers a further guarantee that all citizens,
term residential care. It has long been unfair irrespective of their circumstance, will have
that people suffering from dementia who equal access to the care and support they
require care are not be treated the same as need to live in comfort and dignity for the
those with physical illnesses and given free rest of their lives.
NHS treatment. Tackling this has become
a political football and our most vulnerable
senior citizens deserve better from our
politicians.
In the absence of a cross party consensus,
which is unlikely given the apparent lack
of interest from the current government
to working with other parties to find one,
Labour will have to step up. Constantly
kicking the issue of long-term care into the
long grass with yet another Green Paper
is not in anyone’s interest – we need to
demonstrate we have the capacity and
resolve to deliver a solution that is in line
with Labour values.
On Day One 27Why the root causes
of poverty must be
tackled
Cllr Peter Box
Leader of Wakefield Council
Peter Box shows how Labour councils are
leading the way on tackling poverty in
their communities
28 On Day OneWhy the root causes of poverty must be tackled
Cllr Peter Box
Poverty is increasing. The poorest The freeze on most working age benefits,
members of our society are becoming cuts to work allowances, rising costs of
even poorer and hard working families everyday essentials, and high housing costs
are worse off. People are struggling are exacerbating the financial pressures
to get by and many more are barely faced by families and individuals on low
just managing. incomes. Increasing levels of debt are
causing depression and anxiety as people
The Government tells us that the best struggle to manage their finances. The gap
route out of poverty is though employment, is widening between housing support and
yet nationally, one in eight workers live in housing costs, particularly in the private
poverty, nearly one million people in work rented sector. Additionally, people are
rely on Housing Benefit – double five years increasingly turning to councils for support,
ago – and 47% of adults on low incomes at a time when councils are facing the worst
spend more than a third of their income on cuts in their history and are stretched to
housing costs. Low wages and precarious capacity. And it is households containing a
work contracts mean that employment is person who is receiving disability benefits
no longer a route out of poverty for too that are the worst off as a result of the
many. We are living in an age of mass in-work government’s reforms closely followed by
poverty, and where wage growth continues families with children.
to lag behind prices for ordinary families.
Child poverty in the UK now affects 30% of
The combined effects of welfare changes children and we know too well the effects
and cuts – the Bedroom Tax, changes to that poverty can have on a child’s health
the rules governing assistance with the and their education. Even more worryingly,
cost of housing for low income households, a recent report by the IFS shows that this
reductions in Council Tax support, figure could increase to 37% by 2021. This is
extensions to the benefit cap, changes simply unacceptable. A Labour government
to Personal Independence Payments and should not and would not subject the most
much more – is taking its toll on in cities vulnerable of society to such hardship.
and towns such as mine, which is being
disproportionately hit by these policy
choices. Labour has already pledged that
a Labour government would act quickly to
end the Bedroom Tax, and it will also need
to look at what action to take on other Tory
welfare policies that are so damaging to our
residents and communities.
On Day One 29Why the root causes of poverty must be tackled
Cllr Peter Box
The roll out of Universal Credit, the Where I’m from, like many other areas the
Government’s “flagship reform of the length and breadth of this country, tackling
benefits system” is quite frankly a sham: poverty has long been a significant challenge
a flawed system that is causing untold for the council and our partners. The most
damage and suffering. Rent arrears, recent index of multiple deprivation ranked
foodbank use, and the use of payday loans us as the 65th most deprived District in
are commonplace in areas where Universal England, out of 326 Districts. Around one
Credit has been rolled out. Private landlords in eight Wakefield residents, over 47,000
across the country are no longer taking on people, live in neighbourhoods amongst
tenants in receipt of Universal Credit and the top 10% most deprived in England.
in the very worst cases, people are being
served eviction notices because they do 18% of Wakefield’s annual economic
not have the necessary savings to tide turnover is in welfare payments, including
them over during the long wait for initial over £0.5bn to subsidise low wages –
payment. Citizens Advice, Disabled People £162m in Working Tax Credits and £120m in
Against Cuts (DAPC), Gingerbread, and even Housing Benefit. There are around 16,700
members of the Conservative Party back people who are not working due to health
Labour’s calls on Universal Credit, as we all issues, including a significant increase in
want this system reformed. mental health claimants during the last few
years. The impact of welfare
“Universal Credit is quite frankly cuts will reduce working age
benefit payments in Wakefield
a sham; a flawed system that by £166m per annum by 2021
from its 2010 figure.
is causing untold damage and
suffering” These figures are stark. In
Wakefield, we have always
Because of this, a Labour government been at the forefront of initiatives aimed
must deliver an effective benefits system, at prevention and early intervention. Many
ensuring that people in-work are able to of these are having an extremely positive
access a system that enables them to impact locally, however, we recognise that
escape poverty. Analysis by the Joseph more must and can be done. That is why in
Rowntree Foundation has shown for Wakefield we are currently in the process of
example that increasing work allowances to designing a poverty reduction programme
their original levels would result in 340,000 with the aim of ensuring that as few people
fewer people in poverty and 8 in 10 families as possible become poor and that periods of
living with children escaping poverty. poverty are exited as quickly as possible.
30 On Day OneWhy the root causes of poverty must be tackled
Cllr Peter Box
As a council we pay a local living wage of We are driving up conditions in private
£8.75 per hour and we encourage other rented accommodation through our Strategic
local businesses to do the same. And we are Housing Enforcement policy. We now have
reshaping our procurement strategy to better powers to issue penalties to landlords of up
incorporate social value and increase the to £30,000 if they fail to repair, manage, or
proportion of council spend in our District. improve their properties when required to
do so.
Our good growth plan aims to improve
resident’s quality of life, strengthen Our flagship mortgage rescue scheme has
opportunities, and improve prosperity across now been adopted across the Yorkshire
local communities, boosting skills so that and Humber Region and our Mortgage
local residents can take up better quality Assistance Loans and Preventing
jobs. Key outcomes also include narrowing Repossession Fund are also part of a
the gap in average weekly earnings against support package aimed at helping people
the regional average, increasing the number who are at risk of losing their homes.
of economically active adults, and keeping
housing affordable along with increasing We are tackling fuel poverty head on. We
the number of higher level apprenticeships actively go out into communities offering
and business support for some sectors. advice on how to switch energy suppliers,
We deliver a package of pre-employment provide energy saving tips and discuss
support that provides links between funding and support available. We also
employees and residents furthest from the offer interest free loans to those on low
job market. Labour in government needs to incomes in receipt of certain benefits to
ensure that councils have the tools to do help pay for insulation and heating work in
these locally based initiatives that stimulate homes. And our rent deposit scheme helps
growth and generate benefits for residents. homeless people to secure private rented
accommodation by providing landlords with
We have formed a housebuilding partnership a bond guarantee on their behalf along with
with our local social housing provider to housing related support during their tenancy.
accelerate the delivery of new, good quality
affordable homes in locations where A Labour government needs to make sure
housing is needed most. The partnership that citizens have access to genuinely
provides a range of training, employment affordable housing and that the poorest
and apprenticeship opportunities for local members of our society are able to gain the
people, and wherever possible, employing help and advice needed to ensure that they
local businesses. are not paying more for essential goods and
services.
On Day One 31Why the root causes of poverty must be tackled
Cllr Peter Box
Despite the best efforts of local authorities, The next Labour government should work
like ours, to drive poverty reduction, poverty with local government to develop a more
rates are on the increase right across the co-ordinated approach to supporting people
country. The Labour Party recognises that into work, particularly for those facing
government must co-ordinate a national barriers to work, for example making access
response to poverty reduction, bringing to childcare more affordable and in some
together the resources and skills of cases free to low-income parents, improving
councils and local service providers, careers advice, improving access to training
working alongside businesses. and development opportunities, providing
good quality apprenticeships and enforcing
Investment is needed in health, the support a Living Wage.
offered to families along with education
and training – targeting funding in areas
where it is most needed so that our most
disadvantaged individuals and families are
not left behind – and government needs to
address the economic disparities that exist
throughout the country by, for example,
supporting inclusive growth.
32 On Day OneYou can also read
