Treasury
Finance that’s fit for the future
If we had a more mature central and local governance relationship we could consider a more enduring settlement that enshrines the diversity and sustainability of local government finance, says Jessica Studdert.
What’s the recovery position?
The chancellor has opened the door to a less generous funding settlement for public services, but will he end up turning his back on a slash-and-burn approach? Martin Ford reports.
Most councils will find a way to balance their books
What the sector will be announcing in the coming months are cuts to spending plans, says Tony Kirkham - meaning reduced services and jobs at the time when they should be supporting people and businesses.
Investing in people’s futures now
Disappointed not to have been given a nod last week in the chancellor’s summer statement? Sir Bob Neill says it should be seen as a prologue to the autumn Budget.
OBR issues warning on soaring care and council costs
Soaring costs for adult social care along with indebted local authorities struggling to balance their budgets post-virus are among the key risks to the Government's spending plans warns the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) today.
Chancellor confirms £2bn jobs scheme for young people
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £2bn ‘kickstart scheme’ for jobs to prevent an entire generation of young people being ‘left behind’.
Chancellor unveils his three-part plan for jobs
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the next phase of his plan to ‘protect, support and retain’ jobs in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Think tank calls for £200bn rescue package from Sunak
Chancellor Rishi Sunak should announce a targeted £200bn fiscal stimulus package in his statement tomorrow equal to 10% of GDP to aid the economic recovery says think-tank the Resolution Foundation.
Sunak set to unveil green investment plans
Plans to rebuild the economy with green investment are set to be launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his summer statement tomorrow.
Ministers urged to invest in West Midlands
Ministers have been urged to inject £3.2bn over the next three years into the West Midlands economy to offset the impact of the pandemic.
Javid urges reorganisation and devolution post-COVID
Council tax reform and local government reorganisation should both play a part in the post COVID economic recovery, former communities secretary Sajid Javid has said.
Jenrick will be judged on his weight with the Treasury
Planning approval is not the biggest issue for local government at this moment, says Heather Jameson. The impact communities secretary Robert Jenrick can make with the help of the Treasury probably is. She adds: 'Just how much clout does he have?'
Shadow chancellor pushes for emergency Budget
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds has called for an emergency Budget in the summer with greater support for sectors worst hit by the coronavirus lockdown.
The sector's substantive funding has come at a significant cost
Carl Les says we should be under no illusion about the scale of the challenge ahead, 'with an elongated outbreak impacting our cashflows and revenue streams more and more'.
Budget deficit has soared amid pandemic says ONS
Britain’s budget deficit has soared due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic – but figures released by the Office of National Statistics have yet to take in the full effect.
Bid to relax accountancy codes rejected
Plans to streamline the preparation of last year’s local authority accounts to reduce the burden on finance departments struggling with the impact of the coronavirus have been scrapped after regulators objected.
No chance of a return to Groundhog Day
One clear lesson from the virus is how much we need properly-funded public services, writes Michael Burton - and 'with a tidal wave of support for the public sector this is not the time for the Government to be revisiting Groundhog Day 2010'.
To co-ordinate or not?
Dan Corry asks if the familiar struggle between Downing Street neighbours tells us something about other attempts in the public and social sectors to co-ordinate work.
Budget set to have health at its heart
Rishi Sunak’s first Budget as chancellor will have health at its heart – but it is unclear if funding for coronavirus will stretch any further than the NHS.
Cabinet shuffle spells balance, not bonanza
Last week's reshuffle may have left Robert Jenrick as communities secretary, but Rishi Sunak's role as chancellor could be just as vital for local government, says Heather Jameson
