LGA lobbying has secured early access to £1bn of European Union funding to bolster local economies during the recession. The LGA announced on 5 June that the EU's intention to bring forward the cash, temporarily casting aside Brussels' usual requirement for upfront ‘matched' funding from councils. Cllr Richard Kemp, LGA vice-chairman, said: ‘Councils will use the money to retrain people who have been made redundant, bolster local regeneration projects and help to keep local businesses afloat.'
