Policy
Financial uncertainty forcing councils to award shorter contracts
The Government should offer subsidised loans to cash-strapped councils to encourage them to award longer contracts to organisations that support children with mental health difficulties, a think-tank has urged.
Finance concerns grow in wake of Grenfell
Council finance directors are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of the Grenfell Tower fire on their budgets.
Appeal granted over ‘unlawful’ boycott of Israel
The Government has received permission to appeal a court ruling that found its attempt to prevent councils boycotting Israel through their pension schemes was ‘unlawful’.
Men dominate top roles at authorities
Female chief executives are outnumbered two to one even though women make up 78% of the local government workforce in England, new research has revealed.
Core Cities' Brexit call
The leaders of the UK’s biggest cities this week called on the Government give them greater discretion to deal with the consequences of Brexit.
Public sector pay cap remains in force
The Government has held firm in the face of pressure for it to ease-up on below inflation pay awards for public servants.
Javid: Sector must rebuild public trust
Councils have been warned they are facing a ‘looming crisis in confidence’ in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire by communities secretary Sajid Javid.
We can help you achieve your objectives, Westminster
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.