Fiscal devolution
LGA presses to move powers out of London
Moving powers from the capital to the regions is more important than moving civil servants, the chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Online sales tax backed by London
The local government sector in the capital has advocated the introduction of an online sales tax (OST).
Fixing local government’s financial plumbing
The inevitable result of the funding framework for councils is a disempowered local government, underserved citizens and wasted public money, says Lizzie Insall. She says the sustainable solution lies in ‘fixing the plumbing of local government finance’.
Unitary aims to set standard for devo deals
Buckinghamshire Council is to reveal proposals for a devolution deal that it hopes will become a template for non-metropolitan authorities nationwide.
Why devolution resonates with the public
The centre-local disconnect has become starker during COVID-19 – but a survey shows the public do not see this as the way to shape the country’s route out of the pandemic, say Arianna Giovannini, Jonathan Rose, Edward Cartwright and Jonathan Davies.
Spending Review will 'fail to offer long-term view' for sector
This year’s Spending Review will fail to offer a long-term view for local government, The MJ understands.
We can’t wait any longer for major reform of local government
The current patchwork of local government needs to change if we are to have any hope of levelling up places across the country, argues Simon Jeffrey of Centre for Cities.
Think-tank proposes axing hundreds of councils
England’s 349 councils should be replaced with 69 unitary authorities, a think-tank has argued.
Scottish councils release blueprint for change
A local government blueprint laying out the changes required to unlock councils’ full potential has been published by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) today.
Green recovery and growth should be the golden thread for counties
Peter French says the devolution White Paper provides 'an opportune moment for the Government to empower places and give counties the powers and funding they need to level-up and ensure everyone everywhere has a bright future'.
EXCLUSIVE: Lib Dem leadership candidates in reorganisation warning
The Lib Dem leadership candidates have both warned against the Government’s plans to force through reorganisation without proper consideration.
Give us the fiscal tools to finish the recovery job
Fiscal devo should work in England to boost growth, placemaking and social wellbeing as it does in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, says Jonathan Werran.
Better response to pandemic from European councils, says think-tank
Local government across Europe has been able to react to the coronavirus crisis with greater power and autonomy than in the UK, a report published today has found.
Don't kick more fiscal devo for London into the long grass, says Assembly chair
The post COVID world shows that further fiscal devolution for the capital is vital and ‘mustn’t be kicked in the long grass’, according to chair of the London Assembly Navin Shah.
The London Assembly: 20 years of a unique scrutiny model
Twenty years old, and in the depths of a pandemic, the London Assembly is now facing exceptional circumstances. Chair Navin Shah considers what the future holds.
Six lessons for devolution from COVID-19
A localised and nimble response to the coronavirus outbreak is important, say Colin Copus and Steve Leach, who highlight six broad lessons to inform devolution.
A system of finance that’s ready for extinction
Heather Jameson says the current system of local government finance ‘looks more and more like it was designed by dinosaurs and is due for extinction’.
Crisis has exposed council finances, Whiteman tells MPs
The coronavirus crisis has exposed just how far public services have been cut, finance expert Rob Whiteman has told MPs.
Is it too early to discuss the exit strategy and local recovery plans?
Blair Mcpherson says that for the COVID-19 recovery plan to be successful politicians will need to look again at the balance between local government and central government – and digging out the Lyons report might be a good starting point.
COVID-19: Councils need more money to survive in the longer term
Andrew Burns says the Government must offer councils ‘significant additional, direct and speedy’ financial support to ensure their resilience and survival in the longer term.
