London Councils
Alarm bells ring over scrapping of housing rule
The Government risks ‘drastically undermining’ London’s ambitions to boost affordable housebuilding and tackle homelessness in the capital, a senior councillor has warned.
Council tax reform call as budgets passed
A senior sector figure has called for council tax reform as local authorities continued to pass their budgets for 2022-23 amid concerns about their medium-term financial sustainability.
London's councils are actively pursuing gender parity
As International Women’s Day 2022 approaches, it’s timely to reflect the progress being made as well as the challenges, barriers and biases still being faced by women in the workplace, says Alison Griffin.
Now is the time for London councils to step up to the plate on integration
Councils must seize the day if they’re to make the most of the opportunity to deliver life-changing integration with the NHS in London, says Cllr Danny Thorpe.
Johnson ending COVID restrictions 'too early'
Councils in England have said national moves to drop COVID-19 restrictions and support are being made too quickly.
Huge pressures facing transport for children with special educational needs
London Councils is calling on the Government to provide urgent funding to match the increase in demand and costs in special educational needs transport services, says Cllr Damian White.
National industrial action prospects over pay fade
A nationally-coordinated wave of industrial action over this year’s pay claim looks increasingly unlikely as the outcome of trade union ballots emerged.
EXCLUSIVE: NAO to consider early intervention report
The National Audit Office (NAO) is to consider a report on early intervention and prevention after lobbying from the sector, The MJ understands.
This is a pivotal moment for ending rough sleeping
The next phase of the pandemic presents a new challenge to rise to – ensuring that we seize every opportunity to end rough sleeping for good, says chief executive of London Councils Alison Griffin.
London chiefs in mass exodus
London is facing a mass exodus of its council chief executives with nearly half of the boroughs set to be searching for a new chief.
Chancellor’s ‘age of optimism’ doesn’t ring true for council finances
The Spending Review did not bring funding back to anything like 2010 levels and London boroughs are left facing £400m losses over the next two years, says Cllr Darren Rodwell.
Councils hit by fund's admin burden
Frustrated councils are bracing themselves for an administration headache as they work out how to dole out the Government’s £500m household support fund.
Councils offer almost 1,000 properties in Afghan asylum drive
Councils have offered almost 1,000 properties to support the resettlement and relocation of Afghan citizens and their families, the latest figures have shown.
Plugging the net zero funding gap
The UK Climate Change Investment Commission is developing a radical place-based offer to private finance, says Alison Griffin - and it estimates in the core cities and London boroughs alone there is potential for up to £500m worth of investment.
EXCLUSIVE: Questions over taskforce purpose
Local government associations have called for ministers to define the purpose of a new taskforce ahead of April’s launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), The MJ understands.
Councils need funding certainty
London’s local services face pressures of up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, says Cllr Darren Rodwell. The chancellor must empower councils to tackle the most momentous challenges we face today, he argues.
Families under pressure
As energy and food costs soar and pandemic financial support comes to an end, Chris Mahony asks what impact the pressures on low income families will have on stretched local authorities.
Call to boost council housebuilding powers
Housebuilding in London needs to be doubled to meet demand, according to new analysis from London Councils.
Facing down a perfect storm of violence
This summer will be one of the most challenging local councils have faced when it comes to bearing down on violent crime and its devastating consequences says Cllr Jas Athwal. He looks at how London boroughs are tackling the issue.
Capital's councils in call for tough new powers
Local authorities need tough new powers to combat non-traffic sources of air pollution, the capital’s councils have urged.
