Budget
Sticking plasters for a wound
Short-term funding and decision-making does not solve the underlying issues surrounding children’s services. It only stores up more pressure for the future says John Pearce.
The dead hand of centralism holds back productivity
If councils had the tools, most if not all of them could by now have set fees to recover the full cost of a fast-track planning system, argues Ian Miller.
A conspiracy of silence
Both Conservatives and Labour have been coy about how they intend to improve public services, reduce taxes and raise living standards as Michael Burton reports.
A quick fix – but is there any choice?
With news of capitalisation directions being given to several councils, Heather Jameson asks if this risky measure – designed to provide fiscal support – will ultimately provide greater problems down the line.
Carving out a financial solution
With local government currently in the spotlight in General Election year, Dr Jonathan Carr-West looks at ways councils can capitalise to make their case for funding reforms.
Has the levelling up agenda died or is it only resting?
Levelling-up's recent political incarnation was designed to appeal to voters with a four-year attention span, says Heather Jameson. 'It was only a matter of time before the public noticed there was little life in the bird.'
Tough times ahead for public services
Public finances face their toughest outlook for 80 years and there is no magical solution on the horizon following the Spring Budget, writes Nicole Wood.
Desperately seeking a long-term diagnosis
A successful economy needs to be built around world-class infrastructure - and skilled, healthy people and public services are essential to the delivery of both, says Iain Murray.
Right to Buy lobbying fails as Treasury ends temporary boost
The Treasury has confirmed councils will no longer keep 100% of Right to Buy (RTB) receipts after the current financial year despite lobbying by the sector.
OBR: Council borrowing for capital to halve
Council borrowing for capital projects is expected to almost halve due to curbs on commercial loans and interest rate rises.
Budget leaves councils in peril
Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton says many will highlight that cuts in local government spending mean the return of austerity – ‘but council leaders will know that it never went away’.
We need fairer funding of local government, and we need it now
Cllr John Merry says that while the chancellor stressed the need for more efficiency in this week's Budget, he would highlight the importance of fixing what is, in Key Cities’ view, councils' broken funding model’.
Budget: Boost for preventative services
Funding for preventative services has been announced as part of the Budget in an attempt to relieve local government’s demand pressures.
Budget: West Midlands to get £15m culture funding boost
The West Midlands Combined Authority is to get a £15m boost in funding for culture, heritage and investment projects in the region, the chancellor has announced.
Budget: Chancellor launches productivity push
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled a Budget with little respite for local government but demands for increased public sector productivity.
Budget: Trailblazer devo deal for North East
The North East has secured a trailblazer devolution deal that could provide a package of new funding potentially worth more than £100m, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced in his Budget.
'Scorched earth' Budget likely to offer little for local government
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to unveil a ‘scorched earth’ Budget today, slashing National Insurance and leaving little left for public services.
Making economic development a statutory duty for councils would be a rare win-win
The sector wants to make economic development services a statutory duty for councils. Abdool Kara says the challenge for local authorities is to open the Treasury’s eyes to the prize it considers could be available.
Local investment can reap national rewards
Sir Bob Neill feels the Budget was an opportunity to provide financial aid for councils, which in turn will help the Government deliver national policies – but has the chancellor taken the chance?
Chancellor needs to show compassion to most vulnerable
Tomorrow’s Budget provides an opportunity for the chancellor to protect those most in need of financial support by renewing the Household Support Fund, says Cllr Elizabeth Campbell.