Fiscal devolution
Putting finance on the devolution to-do list
Seeking real fiscal autonomy for local government at times feels as elusive as the end of a rainbow, says Alison Griffin.
Government ignores sugar levy calls
The Government has ignored Local Government Association (LGA) calls for the sugar levy to be spent by councils to tackle physical inactivity.
Next Government urged to look at devolving air passenger duty
The leader of a Labour council in the shadow of Heathrow Airport has urged the next Government to look at devolving air passenger duty (APD).
Craig hails tourist tax 'success'
The leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, has hailed the UK’s first city tourist tax a ‘success’ a year on from its introduction.
Think-tank's call for landfill tax devolution
A think-tank has called for a portion of the proceeds from landfill tax to be devolved to councils.
Online sales tax not priority for London
London Councils has decided it will not prioritise an online sales tax (OST) as part of its lobbying effort.
Experts in fresh push for fiscal devolution
An independent group of experts is preparing to pile pressure on ministers to back fiscal devolution, The MJ understands.
Fresh wave of devolution could reduce regional inequalities, says report
An overhaul of the local government system and a fresh wave of devolution have been put forward as solutions to regional inequalities in a report.
London stalling?
Nick Bowes sets out the reasons why more progress hasn’t been made on devolution in London and looks at what’s likely to happen next.
Where is fiscal devolution?
In the first of a series of articles on what the next government could learn from the Lyons Review, Jonathan Werran suggests fiscal freedom could unlock growth to bring in more cash for the Treasury.
Making the first move on devo
Dr Simon Kaye says central government will have to work very differently if a more radical programme of devolution is to happen – and local government may be forced to make the first move.
Powering ahead in the West Midlands
The West Midlands Combined Authority is to receive a departmental-style single funding settlement from Government that will enable it to deliver prosperity for local people in the years ahead, writes Laura Shoaf.
Let the citizens decide
Ross Mudie asks if the public hold the key to navigating economic challenges – and he highlights citizens’ jury research that says the chancellor should press ahead with rolling out fiscal devolution nationwide.
Is it time to remove the reins on local government finances?
Centralisation clearly isn’t working for England, so could radical plans for fiscal devolution be the solution, asks the ICAEW’s Alison Ring.
Land value tax could redistribute billions
A plan to reform business rates could lead to billions of pounds being redistributed from high land value areas to other parts of the country.
‘City region powers can boost growth’
The next Government should devolve fiscal powers to the country’s three biggest city regions in a bid to boost growth, the Centre for Cities think-tank has urged.
Labour regeneration plans will fail 'without radical action'
An incoming Labour government’s regeneration plans will fail without radical action to devolve financial decision-making, researchers have warned.
Listen to the local
Party conferences are long on rhetoric but leave local government with more questions than answers, argues Sir Bob Neill.
Welsh councils to wait for tourism tax
Tourism taxes will not be in place in Wales until 2027, the Welsh Government has estimated.
Government advisers back fiscal devolution
Fiscal devolution should be ramped up to enable local authorities to develop transport networks, according to the Government’s independent advisers on infrastructure strategy.