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Laura Sharman

Articles by Laura Sharman

District council workers agree to strike next month

By Laura Sharman | 18 November 2020

Up to 1,000 workers at Newry, Mourne and Down DC are to strike following a row about pay and cond...

Social housing tenants to get stronger voice under new reforms

By Laura Sharman | 17 November 2020

Social housing tenants will be able to complain more effectively under new measures published by ...

Allocation of £3.6bn towns fund appears 'politically motivated,' says watchdog

By Laura Sharman | 11 November 2020

The Government has been accused of 'political bias' when allocating funding from its £3.6bn Towns...

More than 50 councils to receive rapid COVID-19 tests

By Laura Sharman | 10 November 2020

More than 500,000 rapid COVID-19 tests will be sent to public health authorities this week as par...

Councils welcome £170m COVID winter grant scheme

By Laura Sharman | 09 November 2020

A new £170m COVID winter grant scheme will be distributed to councils to stop children going hung...

Think tank proposes 10-point plan to reform business rates

By Laura Sharman | 29 October 2020

The valuation of business rates should be devolved to local government, under proposals published...

Rapid review into Croydon's 'dysfunctional governance'

By Laura Sharman | 29 October 2020

The Government is conducting a rapid review into Croydon Council, focusing on its government, cul...

MPs launch inquiry into local government finance

By Laura Sharman | 27 October 2020

An inquiry examining what approach Whitehall should take to funding local government as part of u...

Jenrick announces allocations for £1bn council funding

By Dan Peters | 22 October 2020

Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed allocations for individual councils from ...

Streamline local government under plans to save £30bn a year, think-tank argues

By Laura Sharman | 21 October 2020

Streamlining local government and selling off high-value council properties could save billions e...