Policy
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Jo Miller looks at the current state of the state and argues local government could make best use of the public purse because it understands the unintended consequences of Westminster policies.
Hammond hints at easing of austerity
Chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted he could ease some of the financial pressures on local government brought about by prolonged austerity.
Ministers accused of ducking pollution issue
Council and professional bodies have accused ministers of passing responsibility for tackling illegal levels of air pollution to local authorities without clarity or adequate funding.
Lower-tier councils pull out of Sheffield devolution deal
Bassetlaw DC has become the second lower-tier council to back away from participation in the Sheffield city region’s devolution bid.
Social care has taken a beating in the elections too
Theresa May is not the only potential casualty of this election. The social care issue has taken a pretty severe political beating as well, says Adam Lent
Tired, but defiant, officials ready for polling day
Polling stations have opened their doors for the General Election today, with exhausted-but-defiant council officials prepared for security threats following a series of terror attacks.
Fears raised over care cap
IFS questions viability of Tory plans limiting individual care costs.
Tory manifesto pledge comes under fire
Government plans to intensify the use of deferred payments for social care costs could be stymied by councils’ reluctance to support claw-back deals, a former pensions minister has warned.
Future social care workforce 'at risk'
One in four social care staff are leaving the profession every year, a health charity has found.
Burnham’s integration vow over GM health and care
Andy Burnham has vowed to drive ‘further and deeper’ integration in Greater Manchester as he pushes health and social care towards a single system.
CSE still 'massive challenge'
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is still a ‘massive’ challenge for councils and should not be treated as ‘last year’s policy,’ a former Home Office expert has warned.
Rates increase warning after empty shops increase
Scotland’s retailers have warned policymakers against a hike in business rates beyond the Barclay Review after new figures showed an increase in empty shops.
Children's services pushed to 'breaking point'
Council leaders have warned that children’s services are rapidly becoming unsustainable as they face a funding gap of £2bn by 2020.
Labour would introduce national care service
The Labour Party would move towards a national care service and halt sustainability and transformation partnerships if it won the election, according to its leaked manifesto.
The next PM must deliver on pledges to boost council autonomy
Whichever party wins the General elections, they must deliver on promises made to increase autonomy in local government and increase our ability to plan for a sustainable future, writes Claire Kober.
MP predicts reorganisation revamp
A backbench Tory MP who is leading the campaign against local government reorganisation in Dorset believes the Government’s approach will change after the General Election.
Metro mayors can become integration 'champions'
The new metro mayors will be well-placed to become integration ‘champions’ for their areas, a report has said.
‘Delay rollout of 100% rates retention by at least a year’
The rollout of 100% business rates retention should be pushed back by at least a year, the chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee has urged.
GIB sale ‘won’t affect investment landscape’
The sell-off of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will impact future sustainability opportunities for councils, but will not create an immediately poorer investment landscape, Greenpeace has said.
Warning over ‘proxy vote’ as elections clash
The local elections could be turned into a ‘proxy vote on party politics and Brexit’ by the General Election weeks later, a think-tank boss has warned.