Treasury
The Hunt for cash
The Treasury has asked an internal team of experts to hunt down potential extra cash for local government, The MJ understands.
NCASC: Sector 'slow in making strong case to Treasury for social care cash'
The sector has been slow in making a robust case for social care funding from the Treasury, says president of ADASS Beverley Tarka.
Fixing a broken PWLB
The Public Works Loan Board-anchored system of council capital funding is broken, say David Marlow and Andy Pike.
Homelessness figures continue to rise
New Government figures have revealed the growing problem of homelessness across England and costs such as temporary accommodation putting increased pressure on council budgets.
The future of early years education
Early years provision is an incredibly valuable linchpin in every community and local economy, and councils have the potential to match that value with the funding and strategic support such a public service deserves, says Chlöe Darlington.
LGPS should consider alternatives to Government’s investment agenda
Steve Simkins says it would be hasty to encourage the LGPS to invest in assets which support the Government’s growth agenda without looking at the alternatives, including more local approaches.
Why wait?
The Budget signals big steps for devolution, but the chancellor could do much for local government finance now, says Charlotte Alldritt.
Are we back to 1992?
The Prime Minister needs to get the Tory ship seaworthy for his election campaign, but is the 1992 playbook likely to work again, wonders Dan Corry.
Managing spending centrally is the flaw
At a minimum, the ban on Michael Gove’s department spending cash on new capital projects without Treasury approval worsens the policy uncertainty afflicting the Government’s funding programmes, says Jack Shaw.
Care inspections could risk councils being 'set up to fail'
The reintroduction of an inspection regime for adult social care could risk councils being ‘set up to fail’, says the deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Investment zones face uncertain future
The UK’s proposed investment zones face an uncertain future under a new prime minister, with Treasury officials increasingly sceptical about the costs involved.
Talking about tomorrow’s South East
Sean McKee believes the South East’s solid track record as a net contributor to the Treasury offers a chance to end local government finance orthodoxy and trial a fresh approach.
Abolition of social care levy survives Budget bonfire
The abolition of the health and care levy is now the only major part of the discredited mini-Budget to survive after new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today junked most of the other tax cuts in a dramatic announcement.
Delivery failure
Responding to the chancellor’s fiscal statement, Sir Bob Neill says self-avowed free marketeers should clearly listen to the markets they are so keen to unshackle.
Simon Clarke's clarity of purpose may be just what is required
Duncan Flynn looks at the scale of the task facing the new secretary of state for levelling up Simon Clarke, and considers what we can expect from him.
Minister pleas for more refugees cash
Refugees minister Lord Harrington has made a plea to inject more funding into the Homes for Ukraine scheme amid fears sponsors may withdraw.
What lies ahead for the flagship agendas?
'Securing long-term funding was always needlessly tricky for local authorities, but will become even more challenging in the months ahead with the revolving doors to the Treasury and No10 about to come off their hinges', says Rob Whiteman.
Sunak: No plans for longer finance settlements
The Treasury has no plans to give further fiscal stability to local government beyond the two-year finance settlement announced by Michael Gove.
Cost of living crisis loomed large at The MJ Forum
Heather Jameson says it was clear from The MJ Future Forum that the sector is facing a massive agenda. 'But what is perhaps more of a surprise is how little the Queen’s Speech addressed the main issues and captured the zeitgeist of the forum.
'There's no more cash' warns Clarke
There will be no more cash to bail out public sector budgets hit by soaring inflation Treasury chief secretary Simon Clarke has warned.