Budget
The dilemma facing the chancellor in the Budget
Never have expectations from the Budget on 29 October been so high, explains Michael Burton - and never has the chancellor’s influence over events that will effect his forecasts been so low
A sticking plaster on social care?
Health secretary Matt Hancock’s social care cash announcement at the Conservative Party conference was overshadowed by the Prime Minister’s housing announcements, but Ann McGauran asks if it goes far enough
EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs warning to May if austerity not lifted
More councils face scaling back services to a minimum statutory offer if prime minister Theresa May reneges on her promise of ‘better times ahead,’ local authority chief executives have warned.
Dilnot in hypothecated tax warning
The solution to the social care funding crisis should emerge from general taxation and means-testing reforms instead of hypothecated taxes, Sir Andrew Dilnot has warned.
Whitehall must spend £19bn annually to end austerity
Theresa May’s promise to bring an ‘end to austerity’ is incompatible with the chancellor’s aim of balancing the books by the mid-2020s, financial experts have said.
pluggedin
Paul O'Brien ponders the new programme to tackle childhood obesity, and can't help wondering if any joined-up policy thinking is taking place on domestic matters while the shadow of Brexit looms large.
Let’s see the cap ‘gone for good’
The Prime Minister’s decision to scrap the housing borrowing cap gives councils a ‘huge opportunity’ to build homes, says Lord Porter. The Treasury needs to fulfil the promise ahead of the Budget
London Councils calls for cross-departmental look at pressures
The Government should heed the advice of other departments beyond the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) when it comes to making spending decisions, London Councils has argued.
Dazed and confused
Dan Corry wonders how the 'entirely uncertain' future will unfold now that the party conference tribes have headed home. His conclusion is that instability lies ahead
Sweating the assets
Public sector property chiefs recently met at their annual conference to discuss how to generate revenue from their assets at a time of income reduction. Betty Albon reports on the highlights
LGA shows impact of Government cuts in Budget plea
Local government leaders are ramping up the pressure on ministers to drop planned cuts in support for the sector or face more councils facing Northamptonshire-style crises.
Districts urge chancellor to reverse disproportionate cuts burden
The forthcoming budget must recognise that district councils have borne a disproportionate share of local government funding cuts since 2015, leaders have warned.
Call a halt to fiscal gerrymandering, says SIGOMA
Council finances have been skewed by the Government directing more cash towards wealthier authorities, a coalition of urban councils has claimed.
Equal pay claims will put 'unprecedented' pressure on council
The cost of resolving equal pay claims could put ‘unprecedented financial pressure’ on council services in Glasgow, a spending watchdog has warned.
Extra tax revenue boosts public finances
The public finances had their biggest surplus in 18 years last month - up by £1bn to £2bn compared to the same time last year - thanks to extra tax revenue.
Government achieves first current budget surplus for 16 years
The Government has achieved its first current budget surplus since 2002, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
ADASS: Green paper to 'jump-start' care finance debate
This summer's social care green paper will 'jump-start' the debate on making the sector financially sustainable, minister Caroline Dinenage has pledged.
Time to make big decisions on care
The future options for funding adult social care are going to leave central government with some stark choices, the latest report from the IFS has claimed. Heather Jameson reports.
Javid says he needs 'stronger case' on HRA
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has urged the sector to use headroom in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to boost his case for further action.
Labour accuses Government of 'holding back' sector
Labour MPs have urged ministers to provide ‘strategic vision’ for local government.