Finance
Cost of Universal Credit set to soar, says watchdog
The cost of running Universal Credit is likely to be more expensive than the systems it replaces, is placing a huge burden on staff administering it and has the highest rate of overpayments for any benefit other than tax credits according to a National Audit Office report.
Leicester mayor criticises business support U-turn
Leicester City Council’s mayor has criticised an apparent government U-turn over the provision of extra financial support to businesses during its extended coronavirus lockdown.
LGA gets improvement boost in a bid to aid recovery
Ministers have given a boost to sector led improvement by allowing it a key role in helping councils recover from the coronavirus.
Chancellor unveils his three-part plan for jobs
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the next phase of his plan to ‘protect, support and retain’ jobs in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Judging the financial consequences of change
During the pandemic, a more flexible approach to assessing the financial benefits of a change will be crucial in ensuring we make sound decisions for longer-term sustainability, writes Adele Taylor.
Watchdog head in 'bankruptcy' warning
The head of Parliament’s financial watchdog has warned that ‘a lot’ of councils remained at risk of ‘effectively going bankrupt’ despite another £500m cash injection.
Thousands of council jobs at risk due to funding shortfall, union warns
Tens of thousands of council jobs could be lost unless the Government addresses the current funding shortfall, Unison has warned.
Think tank calls for £200bn rescue package from Sunak
Chancellor Rishi Sunak should announce a targeted £200bn fiscal stimulus package in his statement tomorrow equal to 10% of GDP to aid the economic recovery says think-tank the Resolution Foundation.
Sunak set to unveil green investment plans
Plans to rebuild the economy with green investment are set to be launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his summer statement tomorrow.
Think tank calls for sweeping reforms to local taxes
A group of former Treasury special advisers have called for revaluation of the council tax and reform of business rates to boost the economy post-COVID-19.
NHS chief calls for social care reforms within a year
Sir Simon Stevens has called for a solution to properly fund adult social care to be brought forward within the next year.
Ministers urged to create a 'green bank'
Ministers have been urged to create a Green Bank to fund climate change investment as part of the Government’s multi-billion pound infrastructure investment programme announced earlier this week.
Jenrick: We'll back local government
Robert Jenrick has promised that Whitehall will back local government in the same way councils ‘stepped up and supported people in their time of need’.
Jenrick announces more cash, income compensation and tax delay
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has announced more cash and new ways councils will be reimbursed for income lost as a result of coronavirus.
Credit ratings firm warns of 'tax shock' across Europe
Coronavirus is set to cause an ‘unprecedented tax revenue shock’ for regional and local government across Europe, credit ratings firm Moody’s Public Sector Europe has said.
Is now the time to cancel your projects?
Using a structured, objective and consistent framework to support decisions about whether a project should proceed will make it far more likely that councils make the right choice, says Katie Lynch.
Jenrick expected to announce plans to ease finance woes
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick is expected to announce new measures to help cash-strapped councils deal with the coronavirus pandemic when he speaks to the Local Government Association virtual conference tomorrow.
COVID funding gap hits £7.4bn, LGA estimates
The funding gap created by COVID-19 now stands at £7.4bn, the Local Government Association has said.
Today things feel tougher than they ever have
We remain unsighted on the totality of financial support for coronavirus in this year, says Gary Fielding - and without a Spending Review there is no clarity beyond next March. Out of all of this councils still need to have a plan for the future.
CIPFA mulls legal action against council
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has put aside £500,000 to fund potential legal action against Ealing LBC over a contract dispute.
