IPPR
Social care feels the squeeze on staffing
The increasing shortage of adult care staff has been highlighted in two reports last week, with the sector having the second highest vacancy rate among public services. Michael Burton reports
A more ambitious devo agenda should have local government at its core
Local authorities are the backbone of democracy and should be at the core of the next phase of devolution, writes Arianna Giovannini. These principles should be ingrained in the devolution framework, she believes.
Think-tank finds austerity holding back Northern Powerhouse
Increased devolution is needed to ensure the success of the agenda, the IPPR North think-tank has argued.
Inequality is back on the next PM's agenda
Michael Burton says reducing inequality has been absent from the Tory leadership campaign but has been rightly highlighted by the think tanks. It should now be top of the next Government's agenda.
Regional imbalances match the Euro-election results
Michael Burton says on regional unfairness IPPR North makes a good point - 'the stark ONS figures explain Brexit but there is little sign of Government actually being able to do anything to reduce the imbalances'.
Redistribution call after imbalance findings
A think-tank has called for a redistribution of public investment from London to England’s poorer regions after latest figures showed a huge imbalance between levels of tax and public spending.
Council tax system needs 'fundamental reform'
The council tax system is ‘highly regressive and unsustainable,’ and needs ‘fundamental reform,’ progressive think-tank IPPR has argued.
Report urges levy on Northern Powerhouse firms
The councils that make up the Northern Powerhouse should be allowed to levy additional business rates to rejuvenate their communities, a think-tank has urged.
Further delay to devolution drive
The Government’s repeatedly-delayed devolution framework will not be published until after Brexit, minister Jake Berry has admitted.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils call for streamlined new burdens for Brexit
Councils have urged the Government to introduce a more streamlined approach to providing new burdens funding for Brexit-related costs, The MJ has learnt.
The real task ahead after deal or no-deal is to reconcile the bitter divisions
If we are to overcome the divisive nature of Brexit, we must let people into the decision-making process - and devolution provides an ideal test bed for new democratic innovation, says Sarah Longlands.
Female empowerment is in need of a boost
Women are under-represented in local government leadership roles and the West Midlands is behind the rest of the UK. Ann McGauran examines how this imbalance can be rectified
IPPR backs radical tax reforms
Replacing council tax with a new property tax could help tackle wealth inequality, a new report has claimed.
The North finds its voice
On 6 September I attended the first Convention of the North in Newcastle. This was an historic gathering of political, civic and business leaders from across the North, in the Baltic Galleries on the banks of the Tyne and a fitting venue in which to forge a new spirit of collaboration.
Immigration benefits lost due to cuts
Government cuts to councils have meant the economic benefits of migration are being lost, new research has found.
Where next for devolution?
Gill Morris reflects on a panel discussion looking at the future of the devolution agenda and what policy measures need to be examined.
Where next for the Northern Powerhouse?
The current Northern Powerhouse debate is based on a very conventional model of economic growth. Sarah Longlands believes the North can carve out a more progressive economic trajectory.
The democratic dimensions of the Suffragettes' victory
Ed Cox looks at what last week's centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act means for our democracy today.
What happened to county devolution?
Cllr Paul Carter says the Government needs to devolve to two-tier areas as well as just cities.
Call for more women in local government
Council leaders have admitted that the move towards gender balance in local government should be made at a ‘faster pace’.