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WHITEHALL

MPs reject call for army vet checks

Parliament has rejected calls for a duty on local public bodies to ask service users whether they are military veterans when accessing services.

Parliament has rejected calls for a duty on local public bodies to ask service users whether they are military veterans when accessing services.

MPs rejected the idea during the second reading of the Armed Forces Bill last week.

In written evidence, the Local Government Association warned that councils and local bodies could struggle to identify armed forces veterans or reservists who sometimes require additional support – for issues like drug and alcohol dependency – if they are not given better information. Ministers rejected the proposal as too onerous.

WHITEHALL

Making sure World Cup events aren't an own goal for councils

By David Mayor | 22 June 2026

As the World Cup kicks off, councils must ensure that fan zones and summer events do not expose them to unnecessary liabilities, says David Mayor.

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Effective partnerships, clear accountability and stronger evidence are essential if central and local government are to improve outcomes for children and del...

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Councils have the power to shape national policy

By Alison Potter | 05 May 2026

The Sustainable Communities Acts and the powers to initiate legislation were designed precisely to make local government a genuine partner in shaping nationa...

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