John O’Brien

17 July 2023

Integrated Care Systems have further to go, but partners recognise the need for collaborating and making the most of the opportunity they represent, says John O’Brien.

11 September 2019

It's two years since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, and John O'Brien feels like it is time for employers including councils to be able to use it more flexibly.

09 July 2019

There will come a time when a new administration will need a new domestic policy agenda, says John O'Brien. We have to make sure we continue to show how councils should be a vital part of that future, he adds.

15 May 2019

John O'Brien says that whether we end up with a one year Spending Review or a longer one, it's important to make the wider investment case for preventative services programmes such as Troubled Families.

21 March 2019

London Councils are helping to drive forward the agenda for a smart, 21st century city, says John O'Brien. The role that councils have historically played in the context of place is an enduring one.

23 January 2019

The decision in the provisional local government finance settlement to allocate the social care support grant solely according to the adult care needs formula is a curious one, says John O'Brien

07 November 2018

To provide effective help to local communities grappling with Brexit changes, councils will need Government to provide information, clarity and some recognition of the potential resource inherent in that task, says John O'Brien

01 August 2018

Urgent action is required to tackle knife crime now, but the current levels of violence are the symptoms of complex and multi-faceted issues that need to be tackled by addressing their root causes, writes John O'Brien.

28 March 2018

Enabling councils to build more social housing, welfare policy and reform in the private rented sector are just some of the solutions to the complex issue of increasing homelessness. John O'Brien explains.

31 January 2018

The 'B' word will never be far from our lips in 2018. John O'Brien calls on the sector to take these opportunities to shape and influence the future.

15 November 2017

John O'Brien writes ahead of the Autumn Budget and tomorrow's official signing of the next stage of health and care devolution in London

27 September 2017

John O'Brien looks ahead to the Autumn Budget, warning the pressures feel extraordinary.

09 August 2017

While the London boroughs are making some small strides on gender equality, progress on ethnic diversity is much slower, writes John O'Brien.

21 June 2017

Arts, culture and heritage are often among the first services to be scrapped, but John O'Brien highlights their importance not just for residents and visitors but for budgets, too.

02 May 2017

John O'Brien says the investment councils put in to building partnerships to make communities safer and more cohesive are tested during and after events like the Westminster terror attack in March.

14 March 2017

John O'Brien says it is too early to tell whether London's latest devolution development has any wider significance for the Government’s approach to the agenda.

24 January 2017

Ahead of the consultation on a new National Funding Formula for schools, John O'Brien says the sector must argue the value of local knowledge and expertise in the schools system.

23 November 2016

Local government has made a strong case for adult social care funding but greater attention is needed on children's services, says John O'Brien

05 October 2016

Councils have shown they can deliver successful work on public health and London's efforts to combat HIV is a case in point, says John O'Brien

21 June 2016

John O'Brien says local government must ensure improvement in education, no matter who is responsible for driving change.