By Alex Klaushofer
Jobs and housing are the areas where local communities are most feeling the impact of the recession, according to a survey of council leaders.
Jobs and housing are the areas where local communities are most feeling the impact of the recession, according to a survey of council leaders.Researchers for the Local Government Association found that 54% of council leaders in England identified unemployment as a top issue, either in terms of job losses or concern about reduced job security. Some 41% reported increased demand for unemployment services.
Almost a third of respondents – 32% – cited housing problems, with a rise in homelessness and in the number of homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments in their areas.
More than half – 57% – reported a growth in demand for social housing. Other services feeling the impact of recession include debt and welfare advice services, with 80% of authorities reporting an increase in demand.
The downturn is also hitting the high street, with 85% of council leaders saying that the number of empty properties in their town centres had risen.
The LGA is promoting a package of recession-beating measures, which include better tax breaks for small businesses, new powers allowing councils to take over the temporary management of empty shops, and cutting red tape to help newly redundant people to obtain benefits and services.
LGA chair Margaret Eaton said: ‘This stark research lays bare the extent to which people and businesses are feeling the pinch from the recession. More and more people are turning to councils to help them find a house, for advice on debt and employment and for help finding a job.’
The survey, which was sent to all council leaders in England in January, got a response rate of 35%.
