Whitehall
Inflation 'biggest worry' for pension schemes
Inflation is the biggest worry for six out of 10 local government pension scheme (LGPS) professionals in England and Wales, new research has found.
Social housing Bill 'imminent'
Housing minister Eddie Hughes this week insisted the Government would bring forward a social housing Bill ‘as quickly as possible’ as he apologised for delays.
Government dismisses union's payout view
New Government guidance attempting to limit special severance payments (SSPs) contradicts advice Whitehall received from senior council officials and may be ignored, insiders have warned.
Likely rent rises are ‘ticking time bomb’
Social housing rents could rise by up to 10% next April as tenants face a battle to survive the cost of living crisis.
Government crackdown on capital spending
Councils face fresh restraints on capital spending under Government plans to lessen borrowing risks.
Government provides support to troubled combined authority
The Government is providing support to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) after its chief executive quit amid a bullying probe into the mayor.
Future Forum: Go hyper-local to avoid 'grim' future
The Government needs to provide county deals quickly and councils need to simultaneously ‘go hyper-local’ to avoid a ‘grim’ future, according to the vice-chair of the Association of County Chief Executives (ACCE).
Future Forum: Funding gap could grow by up to £2bn
The funding gap facing the sector could grow by up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, the deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Future Forum: No end in sight for funding pots
Two local government finance experts have predicted Whitehall will continue doling out cash through competitive pots.
Future Forum: Government must do more to help those on lowest incomes
The Government has failed to do enough for those on the lowest incomes, a top economist has told The MJ’s Future Forum event.
Levelling up must go beyond 'big ticket' projects
Efforts to level up communities must be felt at a local level for the policy to be viewed as a success by the public, politicians have been told.
Queen's Speech unveils plans to 'drive growth'
The Government has unveiled a Queen’s Speech to boost the economy, with plans to reform business rates finally coming to Parliament.
EXCLUSIVE: Combined authority mayor faces probe amid chief’s shock exit
The chief executive of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has quit after less than a year amid a bullying probe into the mayor.
Government urged to overhaul public health laws
Public health leaders have the Government to overhaul legislation as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) sheds temporary workers taken on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall risk warning over election reforms
Whitehall officials have privately admitted councils could be overwhelmed by one of the largest sets of electoral reforms ever seen by local authorities, The MJ understands.
York councillors vote to strip Prince Andrew of honorary freedom
York councillors yesterday unanimously voted to remove Prince Andrew’s honorary freedom of the city.
No major gains expected as local elections loom
Labour and the Conservatives are unlikely to make any huge wins at next week’s local elections, insiders have suggested.
Advisers call for minimum pay to ease care workforce crisis
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has said the Government should foot the bill for a minimum rate of £10.50 per hour for care workers in England.
Nottingham expected to bring housing back under direct control after probes
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring its housing back under direct control after two independent probes found ‘underlying issues around governance and finance’.
White van man on... work
You’ve got to admire that posh bloke Jacob Cream-Crackers or whatever he calls ‘imself.