Autumn Statement
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.
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.
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’.
Autumn’s big Statement
Sir Bob Neill welcomes the Autumn Statement’s response to councils’ calls for action on the Local Housing Allowance but is concerned by what little there was on adult social care and looked-after children.
DWP fails to commit to continuing Household Support Fund
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has failed to commit to making the Household Support Fund (HSF) available to councils in 2024-25.
Sunak vows to keep public spending down
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has kicked off election year with a promise to keep public spending down and cut taxes.
The prospect of a decent settlement has since been dashed
Most councils will have to make full use of the limited capacity within the council tax referendum limits, and it will be interesting to see how many approach the DLUHC to discuss Exceptional Financial Support, says Tracy Bingham.
No Christmas cheer from Gove the Grinch
In a year that Michael Gove handed £1.9bn in departmental underspends back to the Treasury, and the Government gave the public a 2% cut in National Insurance, underfunding councils is a political choice, says Heather Jameson.
The dire state of local government finances risks undermining devolution
'Failing to put local government finances on a sustainable footing could undermine the progress both parties have made towards devolving power to communities', says Zoë Billingham.
West Yorkshire’s economic promise
West Yorkshire will host one of the Government’s investment zones. Andrew Vaux speaks to political and business leaders about what it means for the region.
Are we heading to a funding train crash?
The District Councils’ Network 'seeks at least a 6% increase in core spending power for districts, including the ability to raise council tax by 5% or £10 – modest asks compared to what other types of council have received in the past or might receive for 2024', says Ian Miller.
No quick fix as challenges grow
Ann McGauran reflects on last week’s NCAS conference, where the general mood was of determination despite a morale-testing lack of financial backing for the sector from the recent Autumn Statement.
Under pressure
Pressures are increasing in every local authority he speaks to, but with the need to bear down on the cost of living still pressing, this is not the right time for a big rise in council tax, says Greg Clark.
Brighton’s finances in ‘perilous position’
Brighton & Hove City Council’s finances are in an ‘extremely perilous position’, the local authority’s leader has warned.
Santa or the Grinch? No quick fix for fail finances
Heather Jameson says: 'It all comes back to the same issues over and again for local government. The funding system is fundamentally broken.'
Autumn Statement: what lies behind the promises?
Despite a few helpful announcements from the chancellor in relation to cost of living and hospitality the reality is the overall outlook for Westminster residents remains difficult, says Cllr Adam Hug.
Social care’s new dawn
There are signs Whitehall is now starting to ‘get’ prevention and how to support people to stay out of hospital and residential care, says Beverley Tarka.
Innovation keeps the wheels on social care
With no prospects of long-term funding solutions, social care teams are having to focus on creative initiatives and partnership working – and the Autumn Statement has added to the pressure. Paul Marinko reports.
Fulfilling a crucial role for children
As directors of children’s services prepare to attend the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Ann McGauran assesses the challenges and rewards of this important role
Public services out in the cold
There was little joy for under-pressure public sector budgets including local government from last week’s Autumn Statement as Michael Burton reports.