Fiscal devolution
Southern comfort
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran outlines a new report setting a possible future course for local government across South East England in adapting to challenges as diverse as Brexit, climate change, COVID and the Levelling Up White Paper.
South East needs 'unified' approach to create a devolution framework
Government must rethink the assumption that directing investment away from an ‘overheated’ South East will ‘cool’ the region and ‘heat’ the rest of the country, a report has warned today.
Focusing on fiscal and the value of bottom-up services
According to some big hitter ministers last week, they are open to financial devolution – but the question is: What do you want, and why?, says Heather Jameson.
Renewed fiscal devo push
The Government has revealed it is in talks with local areas about extra financial powers as Michael Gove hinted he was pushing for fiscal devolution.
Building a new North
What lies ahead for communities across the North after the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper? Ann McGauran reports from the Convention of the North with NP11 Conference.
Missions misstep
When it comes to its 12 missions, the Levelling Up White Paper does not really enable the multiple, bottom up solutions required to deal with the key challenges we face, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West.
The Government should push on fast with reorganisation
Anyone looking at bold plans for the future should bite the bullet on reorganisation and get it done fast, advises global chief executive of Ipsos Ben Page.
Osborne urges ministers to 'double' devolution efforts
Former chancellor George Osborne has urged ministers to ‘double’ efforts to drive forward devolution and local taxation.
Councils promised tax overhaul
Reform of council tax, including devolved powers for local authorities, are among the plans in a co-operation agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
Levelling up - slogan or strategy?
If an area is deprived and needs investment it shouldn’t have to pit itself against neighbouring authorities for funding, says Cllr George Duggins.
Driscoll backs regional wealth funds
The Government should create regional wealth funds that could borrow hundreds of millions of pounds to invest in firms and create jobs, North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said in a paper published today.
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
MPs call for urgent finance reforms
Councils should be given more flexibility to raise their own taxes and social care funding urgently needs to be reformed, MPs have said.
'No appetite for fiscal devo,' says pollster
There is no public appetite for fiscal devolution, according to leading pollster Ben Page.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
Mayors demand fiscal freedoms
The Government has been urged to go further with devolving powers to existing combined authorities.
Former minister tells government: Stop being so ridiculously tribal
Ex-Treasury minister Lord Jim O’Neill has told the Government to stop being ‘so ridiculously tribal’ as it considers the next stage of its devolution policy.
A legacy in London
John O’Brien is stepping down as chief executive of London Councils after 14 years. Heather Jameson steers one of the most understated people in London government round to talking about his achievements.
Fiscal devo ‘would avoid need’ for legal challenge to levelling fund
A legal challenge of the ‘troublingly opaque’ Levelling Up Fund would not be needed if the Government introduced fiscal devolution, a think-tank boss has claimed.
Communities call for funding powers
Funds aimed at levelling up the country should be devolved to communities, according to a new report.
