Road to Recovery from Covid-19: How counties are leading efforts to respond and rebuild
This report showcases best practice as local authorities reacted swiftly to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This best practice report outlines how county and unitary councils across England played a central role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and leading recovery efforts.
During the initial outbreak, councils rapidly adapted services, redeployed staff, supported care homes, and helped shield vulnerable residents. As the pandemic progressed, they shifted to new priorities, including maintaining essential services, supporting schools, delivering local test-and-trace systems, and assisting with mass testing and vaccination rollouts.
Their efforts are profiled across several case studies in the report.
Councils also provided targeted support to communities, addressing rising social and economic hardship. This included distributing food and medication, tackling isolation in care settings, supporting remote education, and delivering welfare schemes such as free school meals and financial assistance. Particular attention was given to vulnerable groups, including low-income families, children, and those at risk of unemployment.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, the report highlights councils’ leadership in economic recovery. They have supported local businesses, protected high streets, and invested in regeneration, skills development, and new industries. A strong emphasis is placed on “building back better,” including driving green initiatives and adapting to long-term economic changes.
Overall, the report argues that councils’ local knowledge, scale, and partnerships make them essential to both short-term recovery and long-term renewal.