Economic growth
Ministers urged to create a 'green bank'
Ministers have been urged to create a Green Bank to fund climate change investment as part of the Government’s multi-billion pound infrastructure investment programme announced earlier this week.
Boris sets off on the COVID comeback trail
Boris Johnson’s speech in Dudley was ‘a mastery of political tub-thumpery’, says Heather Jameson. ‘But beyond the soundbites, much of the PM’s speech was a rehash of manifesto commitments and pre-announced cash.'
Research suggests fall in house building due to COVID
More than 80,000 new homes will not be delivered this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, research has revealed today.
Local government needs a reset
Local government lies at the heart of multiple emergencies, warns Heather Jameson. She says we need a new system of modern and fully funded public services, joined up at a local level.
Ministers urged to invest in West Midlands
Ministers have been urged to inject £3.2bn over the next three years into the West Midlands economy to offset the impact of the pandemic.
Jenrick appeal for shovel-ready schemes
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has urged local areas to submit ideas for ‘shovel-ready’ schemes that could be boosted by government funding.
IFS exposes impact of COVID-19 on different areas
The balance of protecting public health and returning to economic activity varies from one area to the next, research by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found.
Public administration is the only sector left undamaged by coronavirus
The UK economy shrank by a record breaking 25% between February and April with steep falls in the education and health sectors and only public administration remaining unaffected by the coronavirus shutdown from March, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics
The 2020 Public Services Commission: 10 years after
Ben Lucas and Dr Henry Kippin assess the work of the 2020 Public Services Commission. They also address how society can recover from the coronavirus crisis, and argue the need for a different economic model if we want to build back better.
The crisis has proved again that local action works
The District Councils' Network has set out a five-point Manifesto for Recovery outlining how we can advance the health and wealth of the nation. Cllr John Fuller outlines its five offers and five asks.
Our national state and its agencies are incapable of responding to a crisis
We need a slimmer, more strategic central state and one that relies on local initiative and capacity, argues Paul Wheeler - and 'hopefully we can get that right before the autumn and a possible second wave of the pandemic'.
Council planning powers under threat
Planning powers could be shifted from local authorities to development corporations as part of an economic stimulus package to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson later this month.
Five compelling reasons why HS2East must be given same priority as HS2West
It is vital that the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North states categorically that HS2 east will be built concurrently with HS2 west, argues Cllr Judith Blake.
Taking those first steps back from crisis
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic what we don’t know far outweighs what we do, say Darra Singh and Aidan Rave. But they believe some emerging indicators will create a framework that could well guide the ‘post-crisis order’.
Pop up parking 'could help recovery'
The Government has urged councils to consider providing pop up parking on the outskirts of urban areas to help the recovery from coronavirus.
Councils 'will be ready' to welcome back shoppers
Local authorities will be ready to welcome shoppers back to the high street if retail is allowed to reopen the week after next, the chairman of the District Councils’ Network has said.
Community ties strengthen as economies unravel
Community cohesion is at an all-time high despite plummeting economic confidence during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey of local government chiefs and leaders.
New £50m fund to help councils open high streets safely
Councils will have access to a £50m fund to help prepare for the safe reopening of high streets and other retail spaces.
Basildon – back in business
Now is the time for a total reimagining of Basildon’s town centre, says Cllr Gavin Callaghan – and despite the ‘incredibly challenging circumstances’ he believes great things can be achieved.
Jenrick launches plans to kickstart housing market
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has restarted the housing market as part of the Government’s plans to ease lockdown.
