Funding
Call for tax hike to fund social care
A commission led by The Lancet and London School of Economics has argued for a 1p increase to income tax, National Insurance and VAT to enable annual funding increases of 4%.
Call to scrap ‘arbitrary’ New Homes Bonus
A county council has called for the New Homes Bonus to be dropped altogether in a withering response to a government consultation.
Will Zoom speed up reform?
As the Government plans a new round of public sector reform Michael Burton considers the impact of the Zoom revolution.
We need more than fancy slogans to reach the right level
Boris Johnson will personally turn his attention to levelling up, with a 'swanky new unit with a trusted ally and a rebranded Levelling Up White Paper', says Heather Jameson. But where has the real devolution gone, she wonders.
Unfinished business
With the public finances in an ‘astonishingly difficult’ position, will the Government prioritise the investment needed to ensure a long-term future for social care - and what is its vision? Ann McGauran reports from the ADASS spring seminar.
Social care ‘unfinished business’ for Tories
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said reform of the adult social care system is regarded as ‘unfinished business’ by the current government.
Welcome to ‘the Age of Intermediate Care’
An additional £1.3bn in COVID emergency funding last March ‘jump-started’ Intermediate Care, say Iain MacBeath and Ralph Cook. If this focus continues the results would be game-changing, they add.
Prospect raised of financial support for Glasgow
The Scottish First Minister has raised the possibility of further financial support for Glasgow City Council to reopen leisure and cultural facilities.
Councils accused of 'grandstanding' on asylum
The immigration minister has told councils to ‘play their part’ in accommodating asylum seekers, accusing them of ‘simply passing motions and making declarations’.
Newham to appeal LIBOR loan ruling
Newham LBC has been granted permission to appeal after a bid to sue Barclays over loans was rejected by a High Court judge.
Social care at the crossroads ...again
The integration White Paper leaves questions unanswered on how the duty of councils and the NHS to collaborate would work in practice, says CIPFA’s health and social care policy manager Eleanor Roy.
Local government must retain its 'sovereignty'
Local government has been repeatedly reformed, reshaped and hollowed out, says Arianna Giovannini. 'It needs greater independence, financial autonomy and a clear place in our constitution.'
Questions over impact of reorganisation on Levelling Up Fund
MPs have sought ‘clarity’ on priority rankings for Levelling Up Fund investment.
Children and families need £12.5bn over three years, says new ADCS president
The growing number of children and families who need support 'to thrive, not just survive in the wake of the pandemic' will need investment of around £12.5bn over three years, says England's new children’s services chief.
Treasury to look at public health spending
Councils are facing increased scrutiny from central government over their use of public health funding.
Councils wait on capitalisation directions
MPs have raised concerns after it emerged councils are still awaiting confirmation on emergency funding.
A sense of hope for the future
The new president of the ADCS Charlotte Ramsden talks to Ann McGauran about her aim of making this the ‘year of resetting our ambition for children and young people in this country’.
Warnings of financial shock for care sector
Civil servants have warned of financial challenges ahead when the care home sector emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campaign launched to reverse centralisation
Local government must ‘turn the tide’ on 40 years in which its autonomy has been eroded, a new report has concluded.
Social care reform depends on market overhaul
Social care reform will ‘fail’ without addressing weaknesses in the provider market, a think-tank has warned.
