DLUHC
Levelling up project delays ‘astonishing’
Parliament’s spending watchdog has found ‘astonishing’ funding delays and blind optimism have blunted the impact of levelling up projects.
Homelessness inquiry launched by NAO
The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched an inquiry into homelessness as the issue piles pressure on squeezed council budgets.
A quick fix – but is there any choice?
With news of capitalisation directions being given to several councils, Heather Jameson asks if this risky measure – designed to provide fiscal support – will ultimately provide greater problems down the line.
Has the levelling up agenda died or is it only resting?
Levelling-up's recent political incarnation was designed to appeal to voters with a four-year attention span, says Heather Jameson. 'It was only a matter of time before the public noticed there was little life in the bird.'
'Housing emergency' council calls for Whitehall action
A council that recently declared a housing emergency has written to six Whitehall departments, urging them to ‘take decisive action’ because the situation is deteriorating.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
Limited exemptions for empty homes powers
Councils will face only a limited number of exemptions from new powers allowing them to levy higher taxes on empty homes, ministers have confirmed.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Woking and Thurrock failures 'embarrassing'
The local government watchdog’s chief executive has said the collapse of councils such as Woking and Thurrock should not have been allowed to happen.
There is no quick fix
The announcement of £2.5bn of ‘exceptional financial support’ for councils will fail to fix local government’s finances, a senior sector figure has said.
Craig's call for asylum change
Manchester City Council’s leader has urged Whitehall to implement ‘simple changes’ to asylum policy to ease huge pressures on major urban centres.
CIPFA pleads for Oflog costs to be kept down
It is ‘unrealistic’ to think the Office for Local Government (Oflog) will not pile fresh resource pressures on councils, finance experts have warned.
Government agrees £2.5bn of capitalisation directions
A total of 19 councils have agreed in-principle capitalisation directions worth almost £2.5bn with the Government.
Home Office 'chaos' leaves thousands of illegal arrivals in 'perma-backlog'
The Government’s struggling asylum policy has heaped significant demand on cities’ housing services, experts have warned.
14 years on: The ‘winners’ and ‘losers’
New data shows how £13.9bn of cumulative cuts in local authority funding in the 14 years since 2010-11 have hit the sector. Ann McGauran and Maks Wieczorski report.
Slough intervention could continue after November - Government
Whitehall intervention in Conservative-led Slough BC could continue beyond November, the Government has suggested.
Tower Hamlets faces Best Value inspection
A Best Value inspection is to take place at Tower Hamlets LBC, the Government has announced.
MPs question Oflog independence
MPs have questioned whether the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) work can be ‘truly independent’ as it prepares to begin council visits this summer.
Plymouth told to 'hold its nerve' on budget
Plymouth City Council’s budget for the forthcoming year hinges on a request to the Government for a capitalisation direction.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils offered second chance to claim housing cash
Civil servants have issued a last-minute invitation for councils to claim cash from a fund that has suffered from poor take up by local authorities.