What really caused the council funding crisis?
Max Mosley, NIESR, explores the origins of the local government funding crisis and warns the next government will have to act quickly to address it.
New ADASS president calls for community focus
25/04/2024 The new president of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADASS) has called for a community, rather than a hospital, focus for the sector. |
Social work development programme 'pulled' by Department for Education
16/04/2024 A Government decision to end a training and development programme for social work managers has been branded a ‘kick in the teeth’ for the sector. |
Call for evidence boost in local economic policy
16/04/2024 Centre for Cities has called for more evidence to be at the heart of local economic policy making. |
Clark: Tories and Labour unwilling to address SEND crisis
15/04/2024 Labour and the Conservatives have been accused of an ‘unwillingness’ to confront the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services. |
Welsh council tax rises finalised
13/03/2024 The average council tax rise for Welsh local authorities will be just over 8% next year. |
New analysis says housing building target needs to rise
21/02/2024 England could need over 500,000 news homes every year according to analysis just released. |
NILGA welcomes chance of return to Stormont rule
31/01/2024 Local government in Northern Ireland has welcomed the news of a possible return to rule at Stormont. |
Isle of Wight debt accounts for 42% of annual budget
30/01/2024 Isle of Wight Council has insisted it borrows to invest in essential projects after revealing its debt amounts to 42% of the authority’s annual budget. |
£2.9bn private investment in freeports, says Gove
10/01/2024 Michael Gove has said new freeports have attracted £2.9bn of investment and created 6,000 jobs since they were established in 2022. |
Liverpool to regain certain functions but intervention expected to continue
13/12/2023 Liverpool City Council is set to regain control over some of its functions, but commissioners are likely to continue to intervene in specific areas. |
Autumn Statement: Hunt devolves but councils face new costs
22/11/2023 The chancellor has unfrozen housing benefits and announced positive devolution news in his Autumn Statement, but signalled tighter public spending. |
Social care leaders forced to find millions in extra savings
16/11/2023 Council social care leaders are having to find millions of pounds of extra savings this year despite winter pressures approaching, a new survey has revealed. |
Few councils' homes meeting energy efficiency target
25/09/2023 New figures have revealed just 18 councils have energy efficient housing stock, laying bare the challenge of tackling the climate emergency. |
Mental health top reason for social care absences
20/09/2023 New research has claimed mental health and stress is the most common reason for social care staff sickness and absence in more than 77% of councils. |
£10m extra for most under pressure councils
19/09/2023 The Government has provided an extra £10m for social care for those councils most under pressure as winter approaches. |
Spelthorne in local plan stand-off with ministers
18/09/2023 Spelthorne BC has stepped back from withdrawing its local plan after the housing minister ordered councillors to avoid the move. |
Spelthorne confident of financial strength
15/09/2023 Spelthorne BC has struck a defiant note over its level of debt on the back of another Surrey council warning of potential bankruptcy. |
Michael Gove's local council warns of potential bankruptcy
13/09/2023 The local council of levelling up secretary Michael Gove has become the latest authority to warn it is at risk of going bankrupt. |
Wales to consider funding bids straddling English border
11/09/2023 Wales’ economy minister has said he would consider funding bids from a new council partnership that crosses the Welsh and English border. |
BCP Council in bankruptcy warning
14/08/2023 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has warned tough budget decisions are needed if the council is to avoid bankruptcy. |
Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.
Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.
Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.
