Brexit
The power of quiet diplomacy
Outgoing chair of the District Councils’ Network, Cllr John Fuller, talks to Martin Ford about his legacy. He says districts showed their mettle during COVID and are best placed to deliver the levelling up agenda.
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
Michael Gove sets out his stall for levelling up
Michael Burton says the vision levelling up secretary Michael Gove touched on for the policy at the Conservative Party Conference implies the need for more resources if necessary - 'which may not please the chancellor'.
Gove lays out his vision to level up the red wall
New communities secretary Michael Gove has signalled an enhanced role for local government coupled with localism, the big society and ‘double devolution’.
Labour's Burnham praises Conservative Gove
Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has praised new levelling up secretary Michael Gove and offered to help him ‘define and deliver’ the policy.
Inflation: mitigating the risks to deliver recovery
Alastair Gamage says that while we are now dealing with rapid inflation, public sector organisations can still progress projects with confidence by adopting a best-in-class procurement strategy.
Unintended consequences of tax hikes
Heather Jameson says: 'Something that may appear straightforward – raising taxes to pay for care and capping the cost for the consumer – is fraught with unintended consequences.'
Why working with Irish businesses could fuel local economic growth
Laura Brocklebank reports on the success of an innovation and knowledge sharing event with London council leaders focused on greater trade collaboration between the UK and Ireland.
Tackling the social care workforce crisis
When it comes to social care Solace believes we need a more strategic and sustainably funded approach to talent development specifically, and workforce, more generally, says Graeme McDonald.
Staff shortages leaving care at ‘breaking point’
Social care pressures and demand are ‘higher than ever before’ amid a national workforce shortage, the Government has been warned.
Time to give frontline staff the things they deserve
The perfect storm of Brexit and coronavirus has impacted on the UK in a number of different ways – including the steady supply of staff for low paid jobs.
Celebrating the past, learning from the present and driving to the future
The iESE Conference will celebrate the herculean efforts of the pandemic response but also share the future best practice for the sector, says Dr Andrew Larner.
Why we want chief executives to be treated fairly
The offer of a 1.5% pay increase for chief executives is ‘a move away from arrangements that have successfully operated since 2016’, says Ian Miller.
'Growing our own' jobs will require investment in local councils
If Government wants to maximise the bang for its buck in levelling up the country, then it must start investing in local councils and allow them to skill up local people from all backgrounds, argues Paul O'Brien.
New subsidy rules unveiled
New rules on the awarding of subsidies by local authorities to businesses have been unveiled to MPs following Brexit.
Staying local but going global for investment
Just because we are no longer in the EU does not mean European investors have lost interest in the UK, says Michael Burton - and there is a strong argument to saying the UK's regions should be scaling up their lobbying presence there, and elsewhere.
Brussels bases to remain open despite Cornwall closure
Local authorities with a post-Brexit Brussels base have re-committed to the idea despite Cornwall Council starting the process of closing down its European office.
The top national job, that’s more local than you think
Heather Jameson asks: 'Who would want to be Prime Minister when it is the local government issues that he needs to solve?'
'Thousands' at risk as EU settlement deadline looms
Birmingham City Council has urged the Government to extend the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme as thousands of people in the city are thought to remain undocumented.
Councils are owed certainty on funding
The Public Accounts Committee has published its fifth annual report. Chair Meg Hillier says there is much for local government to be concerned about and ‘even the best councils face real struggles ahead’.
