Michael Burton
Michael Burton is editorial director of The MJ
Dromey’s legacy in council history
The recent untimely death of Jack Dromey reminds Michael Burton of the former union leader’s key role in abolishing compulsory competitive tendering and creating Best Value for council services.
Pride in Plymouth puts the city on top
Plymouth City Council’s ambition, community engagement and effective partnership working earned it The MJ’s Local Authority of the Year award. Michael Burton reports.
Recalling Jack Dromey’s instrumental role in the birth of Best Value
Michael Burton recalls Jack Dromey’s longstanding achievement creating Best Value as Labour Party policy to replace the compulsory competitive tendering of council services introduced by the Conservatives.
Omicron threatens holiday refuse collections
The outbreak of Omicron has threatened holiday refuse collections due to a renewed shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers.
Dementia tops COVID for care home death cause
Coronavirus was the second highest cause of deaths among care home residents behind dementia last year, according to latest figures.
Time for a change (again)?
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove’s hints that local enterprise partnerships are ‘under review’ reminds Michael Burton of how governments cannot resist the temptation to reorganise
Osborne urges ministers to 'double' devolution efforts
Former chancellor George Osborne has urged ministers to ‘double’ efforts to drive forward devolution and local taxation.
Time to turn down levelling up?
The Government’s decisions to scrap the Leeds leg of HS2 and amend the social care cap have both been accused of contradicting the spirit of levelling up. Michael Burton wonders whether the phrase is becoming an albatross for ministers.
Social care reforms ring alarm bells for council finances
Michael Burton says the Government's decision to rush through last-minute changes watering down the cap on social care costs for poorer householders rather than letting them be properly debated will cause long term damage politically and financially.
Rates revenue shoots up
Business rates revenue shot up by more than 40% last month compared to the previous year as the economy improved, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The lost decade
Michael Burton outlines why his latest book aims to explain the socio-economic and political undercurrents that led to Brexit, the election of Boris Johnson and the levelling up agenda.
Places filling fast at Future Forum North
Places are filling fast at The MJ’s Future Forum North event in Manchester on December 2 and 3.
Sector 'invisible' in COP26 preamble
Local government is ‘invisible’ in the preamble to the Glasgow COP26 agreement, the sector’s representative at the international conference has said.
IFS reveals scope of Universal Credit
Budget changes to Universal Credit mean families with well above-average earnings and even paying 40% rates of tax could be entitled to the benefit, according to an Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report.
Grasping the thistle
So much of the pandemic’s huge challenges involve workforce issues, as Steven McNab, outgoing president of the Scottish HR directors' society, tells Michael Burton.
Households responsible for 70% of food waste
Households are now the biggest contributor to carbon emissions from food waste, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Michael Gove sets out his stall for levelling up
Michael Burton says the vision levelling up secretary Michael Gove touched on for the policy at the Conservative Party Conference implies the need for more resources if necessary - 'which may not please the chancellor'.
Gove lays out his vision to level up the red wall
New communities secretary Michael Gove has signalled an enhanced role for local government coupled with localism, the big society and ‘double devolution’.
Labour's Burnham praises Conservative Gove
Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has praised new levelling up secretary Michael Gove and offered to help him ‘define and deliver’ the policy.
Tapping into the diversity of talent
Talent is everywhere but opportunities are not was the underlying message in a round table debate with leading chief executives about the importance of promoting diversity throughout their organisations. Michael Burton reports on the highlights.
