Brexit
Can Boris the Brexiteer revert to Boris the inclusive Mayor?
Mike Burton has two questions. Will Boris bring some of his trusted former local government leaders to No 10 to give the support that proved so successful when he was Mayor? Will he, once elected by his Brexiteer party, swing back to the old Boris?
Pensions Infrastructure Platform optimistic despite Brexit
A vehicle designed to encourage council pension schemes to invest in UK infrastructure will not launch a fresh fund this year but remains optimistic.
Civil service chief calls for more cross-Whitehall working
Whitehall chief Sir Mark Sedwill has called for more cross-boundary working among civil servants to tackle social issues like knife crime, troubled families and mental health.
It’s a good time to lobby
Dan Corry says that while the policy world is currently in something of a stasis lock, politically we’re seeing major realignments, with new battlefields – or at least new fronts – opening up everywhere.
Council preparations for Brexit 'hampered' by Whitehall
Whitehall’s lack of focus and co-ordination ‘hampered’ councils’ preparations for Brexit in the run-up to April 12, a Local Government Association (LGA) report has said.
The basic laws of political physics
Dr Jonathan Carr-West says pressure provides a burning platform and the political vacuum an opportunity for action. But if the atmosphere remains toxic, we won’t be able to move forward at all
English Devolution Bill calls dismissed
The Government has dismissed calls for an English Devolution Bill in the first Queen’s Speech after the UK has left the EU.
MHCLG staff return to usual roles after Brexit build-up
Most Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) staff have returned to their usual roles as the department’s efforts switch back to the domestic agenda.
Public finances remain robust
The public finances continue to remain robust despite uncertainty over Brexit, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Ministers need to be mindful of the poll tax debacle
That an 'apparently esoteric' local government finance issue could bring down a powerful Prime Minister such as Margaret Thatcher should be taken seriously by today's government, says Michael Burton.
Crafting a solution for our sector’s funding
What the whole local government sector needs most is ‘stable, future-proofed planning’, says Rob Whiteman, and a one-year delay to the outcome of the fair funding review could be part of this process.
Shared Prosperity Fund consultation to start 'very shortly'
Consultation on the post-Brexit replacement for European structural funding must happen before the Spending Review, a minister has said.
We need a deal with EU that minimises all export barriers
The Centre for Cities' latest report highlights that an industry-by-industry approach to trade is unlikely to work for cities, says Andrew Carter.
Local government should factor in inequalities review
The UK's policy vacuum has been left to think-tanks, noticeably the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IfS) which has launched a five year study into inequalities. So far its panel does not include anyone from local government, says Michael Burton.
EXCLUSIVE: Council chiefs in Brexit plea
Council chiefs have urged Whitehall to maintain their focus on the potential impact of Brexit on the sector, The MJ understands.
White Van Man on... Brexit
The last few weeks have been like a breath of fresh air and for a while I couldn’t think why. Then I realised. No Brexit news.
Delivering on the cities challenge
Cities face the huge task of boosting their economies and creating places where all can thrive post-Brexit. Chief executives from some of the UK’s largest cities joined a round table debate with PwC and Core Cities to discuss progress.
Unfreezing social mobility
Social mobility has been stagnating for years, says a new report. How can councils help drive social mobility upwards and reduce levels of income inequality – and what’s holding them back? Ann McGauran reports
Rise of independents suggests localism is on the move
Brexit, which has split the two main parties down the middle nationally, has clearly also extended its reach down to local level. If this breaks the national stranglehold over local elections this is a promising outcome, says Michael Burton.
Let’s admit the failures of councils and their funding
It can only be a good thing if Government wants to increase governance, protect the public and improve services, says Heather Jameson. But it needs to start by ensuring public services are properly funded and admitting where they are going wrong.