Whitehall
Government threatens borrowing cap return
The Government has threatened to apply statutory borrowing caps on councils that continue to expose themselves to excessive risk.
EXCLUSIVE: Special needs demand increases for every council
Demand for education, health and care plans (EHCP) has increased for every council in the last three years, new analysis has revealed.
Government needs to prep SMEs for net-zero
The Government needs to step up its COP26 campaigns to get small and medium sized businesses ready for net-zero, the chair of a Parliamentary committee has warned.
Local government given partial self-isolation exemption
Local government has been included on a list of sectors that may be allowed to ignore COVID self-isolation rules, the Government has confirmed.
Wilkins to be replaced
Oldham MBC’s chief executive, Carolyn Wilkins, is to be replaced, with council leader Arooj Shah wanting a new person at the helm.
Johnson has flunked levelling up explanation chance, says MP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ‘flunked’ his chance to explain what levelling up means, the chair of a parliamentary committee has claimed.
Councils will continue to draw on reserves, predicts Moody's
Many councils will continue to draw on their reserves to manage the uncertain funding environment and offset budgetary pressures, international ratings agency Moody’s has predicted.
No pay-out for suspended director
Croydon LBC’s suspended executive director of place has resigned with no pay-out, The MJ understands.
MHCLG to review local resilience forums
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is to review the role, responsibilities and accountabilities of local resilience forums (LRF).
Public finances improve
The public finances improved last month as economic activity picked up though debt remains at a record high, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Government should 'dig deep' to cut child poverty, says Commission
The Government should ‘dig deep’ by investing £14bn to help reduce child poverty and improve social mobility says a report from the independent Social Mobility Commission.
PM plans national insurance rise to fund social care
Ministers are believed to be planning a national insurance rise to fund adult social care.
Johnson: Bring your devolution plans to me
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for local leaders to take their devolution plans to him in a keynote speech from the West Midlands this morning.
Saj is the cat’s whiskers
There are many different types of humour, but few quips can fall flat as spectacularly as those in a political speech.
Taking a risk
A new study warns of looming unfunded risks to the public finances from climate change to adult care which Michael Burton says should be heeded by the chancellor as he prepares the next Spending Review
Government insists Everyone In is 'continuing'
The Government has insisted the Everyone In programme is ‘continuing’ despite reportedly suggesting to some councils that they should close their hotels for rough sleepers.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils push back over reserves raid threat
Council chiefs have pushed back as the Treasury eyes up the sector’s reserves in the run up to this year’s Spending Review, The MJ understands.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
Prudential borrowing threat reduced
The threat of high levels of prudential borrowing by councils for commercial property investments has been downgraded by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Eyes watching you!
Diary hears ministers were rather shaken by Matt Hancock’s inadvertent discovery that his office was covered by CCTV.
