Legislation
Scottish Government resists business rates devolution plan
Public finance minister Kate Forbes has hit out at opposition proposals to devolve control of business rates to Scottish local authorities.
EXCLUSIVE: Clash over timing of May election counts
Returning officers are on a collision course with police and crime commissioners (PCC) over the timing of counts for the May elections.
March 11 Budget creates 'deep risk' for councils
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has written to the Chancellor warning of the ‘deep risk facing councils’ from delaying the Budget until March 11.
EXCLUSIVE: 100% business rates retention could be back on agenda
Full retention of business rates could shoot back up the agenda as part of a long-awaited Government review, The MJ understands.
Government dismisses same-sex marriage concerns
The Government has dismissed council concerns over registrars potentially refusing to perform same-sex marriages when new legislation comes into force in Northern Ireland next week.
NHS chief slams 'perverse' planning rules
The chief executive of the NHS has slammed ‘perverse’ planning rules making it easier for fast food outlets to open but placing restrictions on gyms.
Councils seek advice over same-sex marriage
Councils are seeking advice ahead of the introduction of regulations that will allow same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships to take place in Northern Ireland.
Equal pay firm suspends activities
The company that led the recent equal pay action against Glasgow City Council has suspended all activities.
Lib Dems to 'end continual erosion' of council funding
Lib Dems would ‘end the continual erosion’ of local government funding if they win power at the General Election, the party’s manifesto has pledged.
A vote for change
Local government calls for ‘radical change’ and ‘genuine devolution’ increased this week as political parties prepared to unveil their General Election manifestos.
EXCLUSIVE: Fears over 'watered down' committee replacement
Fears have been raised that the UK will be landed with a ‘watered-down replacement’ for the EU Committee of the Regions after Brexit.
Northants reorg stalled amid election
Plans to reorganise cash-strapped Northamptonshire CC have stalled amid the general election.
EXCLUSIVE: Failure to improve reporting and audit could prompt legislation
Whitehall officials have warned ministers ‘could seek to legislate’ if the transparency and quality of local authority financial reporting and external audit fails to improve.
Commission in pre-election warning
The difficulties of running well-run elections are increasing, the Electoral Commission has warned as legislation to trigger a pre-Christmas General Election cleared the House of Lords.
Spielman in fresh illegal schools warning
Ofsted’s chief inspector has made a fresh call for the Department for Education (DfE) to crack down on unregistered or illegal schools.
Queen's Speech: Latest
See all The MJ's coverage of the Queen's Speech, from Brexit to devolution, voter ID and plans to tackle violent crime
Queen's speech: Devo Bill expected in first Queen's Speech since 2017
Devolution is expected to feature in today’s Queen’s Speech as the Government outlines its planned legislation for the first time since 2017.
Plans for voter ID bill branded 'dangerous and undemocratic'
Plans to introduce voter ID across the whole country have been branded ‘dangerous, misguided and undemocratic’ by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS).
Devolution legislation planned for Queen's Speech
The Government is planning to launch the next round of devolution legislation in the Queen’s Speech, The MJ understands.
Named person scheme dropped
A mandatory named person scheme for every child in Scotland – underpinned by law – will not now happen, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced.