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| Downturn to 'trigger abuse rise' | |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Britain faces a rise in domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse as the recession's "second wave" takes hold, a watchdog has warned. | |
| The Audit Commission said councils needed to give extra support to those worst affected by unemployment and the failure of businesses. | |
| It accused some of complacency and said measures so far had had limited impact. | |
| The Local Government Association said authorities were making "huge efforts" to help vulnerable families and firms. | The Local Government Association said authorities were making "huge efforts" to help vulnerable families and firms. |
| The Audit Commission, which monitors the performance of local councils, reports that Britain is still in the first phase of the downturn which caused business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment. | |
| But it says the country will soon be facing a "second wave of consequences triggered by long-term unemployment". | |
| It explained how rising unemployment in the recession's first wave would put more people under increased stress, resulting in growing levels of domestic violence, mental ill-health and alcohol and drug dependency. | It explained how rising unemployment in the recession's first wave would put more people under increased stress, resulting in growing levels of domestic violence, mental ill-health and alcohol and drug dependency. |
| The number of people out of work is expected to rise again when the latest unemployment figures are released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday. | |
| The jobless rate increased by 281,000 to 2.38 million in the three months to May - the highest jump since 1995. | |
| Abandoned cars | Abandoned cars |
| The report, called When it comes to the crunch... , said these social problems would also lead to growing pressure on council services, with a rise in demand for benefits, welfare, and debt counselling as well as social care and mental health services. | The report, called When it comes to the crunch... , said these social problems would also lead to growing pressure on council services, with a rise in demand for benefits, welfare, and debt counselling as well as social care and mental health services. |
| More families were already demanding state-school places as they could no longer afford private education, it said, with the rate of fly-tipping and the number of abandoned cars and stray dogs also expected to increase as a result of financial pressures. | More families were already demanding state-school places as they could no longer afford private education, it said, with the rate of fly-tipping and the number of abandoned cars and stray dogs also expected to increase as a result of financial pressures. |
| Councils need to move from being reactive to proactive, and prepare to combat a wide range of resultant social problems Steve BundredAudit Commission | Councils need to move from being reactive to proactive, and prepare to combat a wide range of resultant social problems Steve BundredAudit Commission |
| However, while most councils had taken some steps to support local businesses and help vulnerable families in the wake of the recession, the impact was likely to be "modest" and few were targeting their efforts effectively, the commission concluded. | However, while most councils had taken some steps to support local businesses and help vulnerable families in the wake of the recession, the impact was likely to be "modest" and few were targeting their efforts effectively, the commission concluded. |
| "Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead," its report said. | "Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead," its report said. |
| "This includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent." | "This includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent." |
| The commission found that so far the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber had been hardest hit, while those in the South West and Eastern England had been least affected. | The commission found that so far the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber had been hardest hit, while those in the South West and Eastern England had been least affected. |
| But Audit Commission chief executive Steve Bundred said authorities across the country must be prepared to do more. | But Audit Commission chief executive Steve Bundred said authorities across the country must be prepared to do more. |
| "Councils need to move from being reactive to proactive, and prepare to combat a wide range of resultant social problems," he said. | "Councils need to move from being reactive to proactive, and prepare to combat a wide range of resultant social problems," he said. |
| "When it comes to the crunch, those with sound plans focused on local issues, and delivered in partnership, will stand the best chance." | "When it comes to the crunch, those with sound plans focused on local issues, and delivered in partnership, will stand the best chance." |
| Funding deficit | Funding deficit |
| The watchdog acknowledged councils were seeing their incomes squeezed, with district councils in particular suffering from a fall in planning fees and revenues caused by the collapse of the property market. | The watchdog acknowledged councils were seeing their incomes squeezed, with district councils in particular suffering from a fall in planning fees and revenues caused by the collapse of the property market. |
| On Tuesday, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned councils in England faced a £4bn deficit and would have to keep cutting jobs. | On Tuesday, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned councils in England faced a £4bn deficit and would have to keep cutting jobs. |
| All councils must support residents through the recession Communities and Local Government department | |
| But LGA vice-chairman Sir Jeremy Beecham said councils were still making "huge efforts" to help families and businesses. | But LGA vice-chairman Sir Jeremy Beecham said councils were still making "huge efforts" to help families and businesses. |
| "The commission rightly points out that we now need to look six to 12 months down the track to focus on the support that people and businesses will need in the future - and this is exactly what councils are doing," he said. | "The commission rightly points out that we now need to look six to 12 months down the track to focus on the support that people and businesses will need in the future - and this is exactly what councils are doing," he said. |
| "Town halls recognise that the impact of the recession will continue long after the economy returns to growth and will continue to act decisively to ensure that people in difficulty will get the support they need." | "Town halls recognise that the impact of the recession will continue long after the economy returns to growth and will continue to act decisively to ensure that people in difficulty will get the support they need." |
| A spokesman for Communities and Local Government said the report recognised the "swift action taken by the government to respond immediately to the downturn". | |
| "These early interventions to provide real help now will help to shorten the recession and reduce its impact - by safeguarding and creating jobs, supporting businesses, and helping people to stay in their homes," he said. | |
| While many councils have taken a "sensible approach to dealing with the recession", the spokesman acknowledged that delivery was "patchy". | |
| "Some are doing very well, while others have not grasped the need for urgent action. All councils must support residents through the recession," he added. | |
| "We will provide extra support to councils that are struggling to respond at present." |