Levelling up
Levelling Up Fund allocated
The third round of the Levelling Up Fund has been awarded to unsuccessful bids from round two.
New study exposes public scepticism over levelling up
Half of UK residents think policies introduced by the Conservatives will impact negatively on local economies, according to a new study that cast doubt on the levelling up agenda.
Levelling up ambitions blighted by delays, says NAO
Ministers’ levelling up ambitions have been blighted by delays to key construction projects, with many deadlines unlikely to be met, the UK’s spending watchdog has warned.
How government can support the retention of essential service delivery
Senior consultant at CIPFA Penna Karima Dakhama looks at how local authorities through innovation can ensure the retention of essential service delivery across the UK.
'Slim pickings and missed opportunities'
Baroness Sharon Taylor reflects on the King's Speech, and says it's time to stop leaving councils to pick up the pieces on their own and give them the powers to take back control.
Ensuring a plan comes together
A genuine working partnership between central and local government is vital to the success of local planning, as Justin ‘Hannibal’ Griggs explains.
Councils are benched in the King’s Speech
It is disappointing to see nothing to resolve the woes of the sector in the King's Speech, says Heather Jameson – 'or to indicate councils may just provide some of the solutions for national issues'.
The next level begins
Last month saw the Levelling Up Act receive Royal Assent, but what will that actually mean for local authorities? Martin Ford takes a look.
It’s time for action, not words
The Government’s response to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s digital exclusion report is a disappointing outcome, says Helen Milner.
High quality properly funded services must underpin levelling up
Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton says local government funding needs a reset of business rates growth, an update of the data used in the formula and certainty with multi-year settlements if it is to achieve a more resilient long-term footing.
Tory backbenchers pile pressure on Government
The Government has withstood pressure from its own MPs to allow councils to hold remote meetings.
Government blocks remote meetings
A levelling up Bill amendment that would have enabled virtual council meetings has been stripped out by the Government.
Old wine in new bottles
The names on the doors may change, but regional policy will remain a priority for the next Government, says Michael Burton.
Devolution debates dominate
At the Labour conference, devolution was a major theme of Keir Starmer’s speech. It was reassuring to see regional rebalancing lives on but there are still big questions to answer on all sides of the political spectrum, says Zoë Billingham.
Giving power away: Labour needs to turn rhetoric into reality
Labour needs to articulate a more concrete vision for how they would go further and faster on devolution – particularly on how local government will feed into the wider mission framework for government, says Ross Mudie.
A Bill to drive innovation and local accountability
With the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill going through its final parliamentary stages, Tiffany Cloynes and Rebecca Gilbert look at some of the changes it would bring in.
Boroughs to get opt out from future ULEZ-style schemes
Legislation that will enable London boroughs to opt out of future road charging schemes has been welcomed as ‘an enormous step forwards in local democracy’.
Politicians’ conspiracy theories that blur reality won’t wash
Misrepresentations of 15-minute neighbourhoods distract from far bigger threats to local communities, says Alice Bell.
No dates for pothole cash
The Department for Transport does not have a timescale for the billions of pounds for road resurfacing that it announced on the back of the decision to curtail HS2.
Two answers to levelling up – but what’s the question?
Heather Jameson says set aside the anti-city, anti-local government rhetoric - Rishi Sunak's plan to put cash into small towns will make a difference to how people feel about their place.
