In a new feature, we round up the most important news for today
Final day campaigning for local elections and AV
Political parties are getting ready for the final campaign stretch as local elections and the AV referendum (Thursday 5 May) draws closer. Around 9,500 seats in 279 councils across the country are being contested, with Conservatives defending 5000 seats, Liberal Democrats 1,800 and Labour 1,600 in the local council elections.
Local government workers 'are lowest paid'
According to a new report from the Local Government Association, local government workers are the most efficient, yet lowest paid in the public sector. It revealed that in recent times, pay packets in the wider public sector have increased by 7.1%, while those for local government workers fell by 2.7% in real terms.
In addition, the report shows that employment levels in local government have also dropped, by 1.5% between 2008/9 and 2010/11, while employment rose overall in the rest of the public sector by 4.5%.
Welfare minister admits benefit cuts may mean people moving home
Welfare Minister Lord Freud has admitted that some people may have to move house because of benefit cuts. Answering a question in the House of Lords about the redistribution of low income families because of the cuts, Lord Freud confirmed that the Department of Work and Pensions have commissioned a two-year review to evaluate the effects of recent Local Housing Allowance changes on families.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the local government network to receive more like this direct to your inbox.
