Brexit
100% business rates retention legislation dropped
The Local Government Finance Bill has been dropped from the legislative programme, leaving plans for business rates retention in limbo.
Councils increase pressure on government as Brexit talks start
Local government negotiators believe the General Election result creates an opportunity for their case to be heard more loudly in Brexit talks.
We need a public inquiry into our national politicians
Occasionally a crisis will happen that exposes our trust in the competence of politicians to be entirely optimistic, writes Michael Burton.
Little substance predicted from Queen's Speech
The Queen’s Speech is set to have Brexit at its heart but not much else, according to predictions in the run up to the state opening of Parliament.
Corridors of power
Brexit secretary David Davis begins his discussions with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier
Just spinnin’ around
What should local government do with the tonnes of those pesky fidget spinners that parents have discovered are already ‘so last year’?
A new deal
Paul Watson argues any spending concessions the DUP attempts to extract as part of a deal with the Conservatives should be mirrored across the UK, in regions and in local government.
Lower-tier councils pull out of Sheffield devolution deal
Bassetlaw DC has become the second lower-tier council to back away from participation in the Sheffield city region’s devolution bid.
The big opportunity for local government
The Government is heavily exposed to backbench revolts – not just on Brexit but on public sector funding. Michael Burton reports on last week’s election, which could give local government the best opportunity to press home its case in decades.
What happened under the last minority government?
Michael Burton looks back to the last time the UK had a minority government to see what history can teach us about our current political climate.
Politics is never about a single isolated issue
I don’t think anyone can really suggest UK politics lacks excitement right now. The past 12 months have provided one surprise after another, the latest being the new Conservative/DUP arrangements.
Pension asset balance sheets ‘in good health’
The asset side of local government pension schemes’ (LGPS) balance sheets is in good health, according to the latest performance analytics data.
Council pension assets in 'good health'
The asset side of local government pension schemes’ (LGPS) balance sheets is in good health, according to the latest performance analytics data.
Devolving transformation
An ecosystem is emerging outside of government which, Robert Pollock writes, is putting co-designed and outcome-oriented services into practice
Building trust in a post-truth age
Local government must lead the way in a new world where truth is no longer the gold standard, writes Dr Jonathan Carr-West
We are dangerously dependent on London as a cash cow
The nation’s public finances rely too much on the capital, and the Tories seem indifferent to what happens to London’s economy after Brexit, warns Michael Burton.
Fears raised over care cap
IFS questions viability of Tory plans limiting individual care costs.
Unaffordable. Unworkable. We need to find a solution now
Payment floors and ceilings are all well and good for the concerned voter, but that still doesn’t tackle the real issues around care for the elderly, argues Heather Jameson.
The manifestos airbrushed out austerity but it hasn’t gone away
While all three main parties emphasise how much they intend to give to the NHS, and to a lesser extent, care, they are much more circumspect about local government funding, writes Michael Burton.
Parties promise less austerity but little more on devolution
Local government received a passing mention in last week’s party manifestos but their main focus was on tax and spend and controversial plans for health and care. Michael Burton reports.