Brexit
High costs make it hard to keep staff
Unaffordable housing and costly transport are the top two reasons why businesses in London find it difficult to retain staff, a new survey has revealed.
Core Cities' Brexit call
The leaders of the UK’s biggest cities this week called on the Government give them greater discretion to deal with the consequences of Brexit.
Devolve all property taxes to the Mayor of London, says new report
All property taxes should be devolved to the Mayor of London to pilot reforms in a bid to protect the capital’s economy post-Brexit, according to a report by think tank the Centre for London.
Council chiefs urged to 'seize the day'
Local authorities should ‘seize the day’ to secure inward investment for their areas, a former Government adviser has urged.
Leese: Skills system is a mess
The leader of Manchester City Council has described the current skills system as a ‘mess’ as he laid out a vision for the future.
‘Unleash county powers for growth
Devolution of public spending and tax-raising powers to county councils would boost England’s economy and lift it back to pre-Brexit growth rates, new research has suggested.
Sector ‘lacks vision’ for devo
Local government has been criticised for failing to present a compelling vision of decentralisation and reform amid uncertainty over the future of formerly flagship devolution policies.
Full county devolution could be perfect tonic
The Government should be ambitious and seriously consider full fiscal devolution to county areas, argues chairman of the County Councils' Network, Cllr Paul Carter.
Report: Unleash sleeping county giants
Devolution of public spending and tax raising powers to county councils would boost England’s economy and lift it back to pre-Brexit growth rates, new research has suggested.
Simmonds beats Carter to lead LGA Tories
Hillingdon LBC’s deputy leader has seen off competition from the County Councils’ Network’s chairman to be named leader of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Conservative group.
The local state we are in – and where to go from here
Fresh off the heels of PwC's 'Local State We're In' survey, Jonathan House looks at how local government can respond to the new sets of challenges it is faced with - from cyber attacks to public sector reform.
Dawn Baxendale: Chiefs have lost their public service raison d’être
Dawn Baxendale speaks to Sam Clayden about how Southampton City Council – and local government as a whole – will be grappling with an increasingly uncertain future
‘There is more that unites us than divides us’
Echoing the words of the late Jo Cox MP, Bob Neill argues a cross-party, cross-government approach in Whitehall and town halls can help solve some of the country’s most complex challenges.
Queen’s Speech leaves fiscal plans in question
Whitehall officials are assessing how councils could control a greater share of local income without requiring fresh legislation, The MJ understands.
100% business rates retention legislation dropped
The Local Government Finance Bill has been dropped from the legislative programme, leaving plans for business rates retention in limbo.
Councils increase pressure on government as Brexit talks start
Local government negotiators believe the General Election result creates an opportunity for their case to be heard more loudly in Brexit talks.
We need a public inquiry into our national politicians
Occasionally a crisis will happen that exposes our trust in the competence of politicians to be entirely optimistic, writes Michael Burton.
Little substance predicted from Queen's Speech
The Queen’s Speech is set to have Brexit at its heart but not much else, according to predictions in the run up to the state opening of Parliament.
Corridors of power
Brexit secretary David Davis begins his discussions with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier
Just spinnin’ around
What should local government do with the tonnes of those pesky fidget spinners that parents have discovered are already ‘so last year’?