inequality
Shining a light on the opportunities offered by ICSs
Ahead of ICSs moving to a statutory footing tomorrow, Phil Hope and Steve Barwick set out 12 emerging recommendations from the Health Devolution Commission across four key policy areas.
We must rise to this moment
Writing ahead of her LGA conference plenary, shadow secretary of state Lisa Nandy says it’s time for a different sort of leadership – one that partners with the community and puts people in the driving seat.
Targeting future opportunities
LGA conference plenary speaker Ben Page looks at the challenges and opportunities for councils in the post-pandemic 2020s, including more diverse communities and the need for massive structural change in planning.
United in the fight against poverty
Ahead of a Local Government Association Conference workshop on how councils can respond to the cost of living crisis, Lee Hemsworth outlines how the approach of the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission has evolved since 2014.
Re-stitching a brighter future
Robin Tuddenham says that for levelling up to be truly effective it must be led by those who are completely attuned to the unique needs and wants of each local area and leadership must come from local government.
Our future depends on supporting children and the young
Debates on integrated care often default to older people and hospital flow, but Rob Webster and Jenny Lingrell argue that children and young people should be seen as of parallel importance.
Putting ICSs at the heart of health equality
As Integrated Care Systems move onto a statutory footing in July, what is the best way they can tackle health inequalities? Ann McGauran reports from a recent Health Devolution Commission event.
The clock is ticking on levelling up
There is no shortage of data to provide evidence of regional inequalities, just a shortage of time to show levelling up is more than just an election slogan and can save the skin of Boris Johnson, says Michael Burton.
Time to get on with the job of levelling up
Andrew Carter says that with the Government more than half way through its term it is time to see more urgency in delivering levelling up. Delaying progress will only exacerbate inequalities across the UK, he adds.
A deserving shortlist for MJ SLT of the Year Award
There was a greater focus on inequalities, diversity and inclusion, transparency, performance management and organisation development in the entries for the senior leadership team (SLT) of the year category of The MJ Awards, says Julie Towers.
Queen’s Speech: ‘levelling up’ let down
Sir Stephen Houghton says we must not see blame being levelled on those areas who are not able to meet the levelling up mission targets – 'when it is in fact that local areas are not being given a penny by the Government to be able to reach them'.
Getting on with integrated care
Greater Manchester believes the formal governance of the new integrated care system and the voice of place within it will be fundamental to its future success in narrowing health inequalities, says Tom Stannard.
How councils keep public health top of the agenda
It’s 175 years since England’s first municipal public health official was appointed, so how are local authorities performing at keeping people healthy? Professor Jim McManus takes the long view.
Social value can unlock billions to help communities flourish
A new report from Social Enterprise UK has highlighted a huge opportunity to realise £56bn a year through better public sector procurement, says Chris White.
Post-pandemic planning for the core cities
Chief executives and directors from the UK’s biggest cities debated their challenges and opportunities in a round table discussion organised by Core Cities UK and The MJ, supported by BT. Paul Marinko reports.
Arithmetic matters
The new director of IPPR North, Zoë Billingham, speaks to Ann McGauran about taking on the role at a time of political and economic turmoil, and gives her verdict on how the Government’s flagship levelling up policy is shaping up.
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
England’s planning system is broken
Tom Stannard sets out the scale of the regeneration challenge, including the vital need to improve transport connectivity – and he says an unreformed planning system represents a real threat to the Government’s levelling up agenda.
Only 14% trust Government to solve cost of living crisis
Two thirds of people do not have confidence in national politicians to tackle the growing cost of living crisis, according to new polling from think tank New Local.
These elections are by no means a done deal
Let’s hope that with the focus of this week’s vote, the Government redoubles its efforts to level up, and goes much further to protect people from economic winds out of their control says Zoë Billingham.