HCLG Select Committee
Government defends care reform funding
The director general for adult social care said the £5.4bn sum was a ‘building block'.
Welcome words on business rates should be backed up in settlement
The secretary of state now has a real opportunity to improve matters by introducing a business rates ‘re-set’ as part of the provisional settlement, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Committee urges ministers to review high street role
MPs have urged ministers to review the role of high streets in their COVID-19 recovery strategy amid fears councils could lose further income through reforms.
Social housing inquiry launched
MPs have embarked on an inquiry into the regulation of social housing in England.
MPs quiz Homes England on governance issues
An internal audit that found ‘significant weakness in frameworks of governance’ was raised during questions from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
Doubt over future of 75% rates retention under Gove
New local government secretary Michael Gove has indicated that 75% business rates retention could be a casualty of levelling up plans.
EXCLUSIVE: Gove to be quizzed on councillor security
MPs are to question local government secretary Michael Gove on the security of councillors following last week’s fatal attack on MP David Amess.
We need an equal partnership between the NHS and councils on health and care
When is a local health and care partnership not a partnership? If we are not careful when it's an integrated care system, say Phil Hope and Steve Barwick.
Hughes hints at multi-year funding settlement
Junior minister Eddie Hughes has attempted to reassure councils that a multi-year funding settlement may be approaching.
Short-changed again
Clive Betts warns that, with little clarity on how much extra money will be spent next year, there is the prospect of social care unravelling unless councils receive more money to fill the existing funding gaps.
Councils ask for national support on climate change
Councils have said they stand ready to take action to reduce carbon emissions, but require action from central government.
Peers call for council tax reform
A cross-party chorus of peers has called for reform of the council tax system and new bands to be introduced.
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.
Voter ID 'colossal waste of money,' says Labour
Proposals to introduce voter ID are a ‘colossal waste of money,’ Labour has argued.
LGA removes criticised fire safety guidance from website
The Local Government Association (LGA) finally removed fire safety guidance hosted on its website that had been heavily criticised after the Grenfell Tower blaze.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts on Jenrick over audit
Whitehall officials are putting communities secretary Robert Jenrick under pressure to change course after he failed to implement a key recommendation of the Redmond Review, The MJ understands.
MPs to investigate S114s amid Croydon collapse
MPs have launched an investigation into the financial predicament of councils in the aftermath of Croydon LBC’s Section 114 notice.
Tory mayor claims Whitehall blocking devolution
One of the biggest challenges to devolution comes from civil servants, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, has claimed.
Frustration bubbles over wait for Brexit bonanza
The Government runs the risk of ‘levelling up everywhere at rock bottom’ as uncertainty continues to reign over funding for the regions months after Brexit.
Government could buy up fire risk buildings
The Government has not ruled out compulsorily purchasing buildings with serious fire safety defects if the pace of remediation remains too slow.
