Northern Powerhouse
Council funding crisis ‘existential’
Local government’s funding crisis threatens to derail ambitions to level up the north of England, it has been claimed.
Call for council tax overhaul
Work should begin now on the ‘long-overdue’ revaluation of all domestic properties in England to bolster local government finance, a think-tank has argued.
Peers approve levelling up Bill
Peers have approved the amended Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill – leaving ministers seeking a new home for controversial nutrient neutrality rules on developments.
Fire up Northern Powerhouse 2.0, urges Osborne
Former chancellor George Osborne has urged the Government to ‘fire up Northern Powerhouse 2.0’ as he backed more devolution for the North.
Boris urges Gove to 'accelerate' levelling up Bill
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on local government secretary Michael Gove to ‘accelerate the now stalled Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill’.
Minister visits Edinburgh to mark tourism tax legislation
Public finance minister Tom Arthur visited Edinburgh to mark the publication of a Bill that would allow councils to charge a levy on overnight stays.
Tourism tax could raise nearly £430m for councils, study finds
More than £428m a year could be raised by imposing a £1-a-night levy on visitors staying in hotels, according to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP).
Northern Powerhouse architect calls for swift fiscal devolution
One of the architects of the Northern Powerhouse has called for a five-step devolution of fiscal powers for mayors and council leaders.
Call to 'hardwire' levelling up into law
A call has been made for levelling up to be ‘hardwired into law’ by a coalition of councils and businesses in the north of England.
Levelling Up Fund under fire
Councils have demanded a new way of funding the sector following the announcement of the Levelling Up Fund’s second round winners.
Private investment in North up 72%
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the North has increased by 72% in the last five years despite dropping across the rest of the UK, new research has revealed.
Some areas will 'lose out' from levelling up
The Government will be hard-pressed to deliver its manifesto pledge of levelling up every part of the UK, experts have warned.
Osborne urges ministers to 'double' devolution efforts
Former chancellor George Osborne has urged ministers to ‘double’ efforts to drive forward devolution and local taxation.
HS2 cuts will ‘hold back the north’
Dozens of council leaders have united to tell the Prime Minister the watering down of rail investment will hold back the north.
Model routes to democracy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says Sheffield voters' decision to reject the strong leader model was a 'victory for democracy'. But Henri Murison rejects the case for committee decision-making while Cllr Tony Page argues for a hybrid approach.
Future Forum North: Collaboration key to levelling up
City council chief executives made a united call for a collaborative approach to levelling up at The MJ's Future Forum North today.
Think-tank launches levelling up Big Bang theory
The Government should launch a Northern Big Bang to ‘unleash a torrent of investment into the Northern economy’ says a report from a Conservative think-tank.
Ministers urged to turbo-charge levelling up agenda
Ministers have been urged to turbo-charge their ‘levelling up’ agenda after latest figures show the North of England economically slipping further behind the rest of the country.
Spending review: The chancellor has made some big promises – can he deliver?
The chancellor’s ambition is laudable, says research director of the Fabian Society Luke Raikes, but it will take ‘time, massive investment and above all real devolution to see the difference’.
Jenrick defends PM amid devo 'disaster' claim
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has defended the Prime Minister’s claim that devolution in Scotland has been a ‘disaster’.