Scotland
Conservative call to ring-fence budget for councils
A new Barnett-type formula should be introduced that would legally mandate the Scottish Government to deliver a ring-fenced percentage of its budget to councils, Conservatives have argued.
Scottish councils receive £275m COVID-19 boost
The Scottish Government has announced £275m of additional funding for local authorities to assist with financial pressures as a result of the pandemic.
New review puts case for a National Care Service in Scotland
An independent review of adult care services in Scotland has called for urgent improvements in workforce planning, pay and conditions, and a rethink on charging policies.
Rural economic growth deal secured
A £70m rural economic growth deal has been agreed between the Scottish and UK governments and Argyll and Bute Council.
Looking at the long term impact of Scottish council tax freeze
In Scotland, the devolved government announced £90m to compensate councils that choose to freeze council tax next year. Joanne Pitt says that while this is a helpful lifeline it comes at the cost of reduced council tax income in the future.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts on Jenrick over audit
Whitehall officials are putting communities secretary Robert Jenrick under pressure to change course after he failed to implement a key recommendation of the Redmond Review, The MJ understands.
Cross-party backing for European charter
The European charter of local self-government took a step closer to being incorporated into Scots law after a Bill received cross-party support at stage one.
Opinion split over election date
Concerned council chief executives have continued to express safety fears about holding elections in May despite regional returning officers telling ministers it can be done.
Scottish Budget 'falls short'
The Scottish Government’s £11.6bn budget ‘falls short of the fair funding local government requires,’ councils have said.
Scottish councils' cost call
Scottish local authorities have called for the costs of COVID-19 to be met by the Government north of the border.
Spending watchdog raises concerns over integration joint boards
Councils in Scotland are having to prop up integration joint boards (IJBs), the spending watchdog has warned.
LGA pauses tourism levy calls
The Local Government Association (LGA) has agreed to pause its work gathering an evidence base for the introduction of a tourism levy.
EXCLUSIVE: Election officers bid for legal protection
Returning officers have called for protection against lawsuits for running this year’s elections if the Government sticks to holding them in May during a pandemic.
Labour announces ‘constitutional commission’ on devolution
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it will look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.
Local leaders to race ahead on cutting carbon
Local leaders representing around a third of England and Scotland’s population have vowed to go ‘further and faster’ than government to reduce carbon emissions.
Cross-party leaders call to halt the break up of the union
A cross-party group of council leaders and mayors has written to the Prime Minister calling for action to prevent the break-up of the union.
Devolution boost for Scots councils as Bill is backed
Devolution to councils in Scotland has taken a step forward after the Scottish Government announced its support today for a private members Bill.
Devo is a 'stepping stone to localism', PM tells Scots Tories
Devolution should be a stepping stone to passing power down to local communities and businesses, Boris Johnson has told Scottish Conservatives.
Proportional votes to come to Wales
Proportional voting will be introduced to Welsh council elections for the first time as the franchise is extended to 16- and 17-year olds and foreigners.
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’.
