Legislation
Fears over Procurement Bill red tape
The Government has rejected concerns that new procurement rules will create more red tape for local authorities.
New anti-Putin powers given to councils
Councils have been handed powers to terminate commercial relationships with firms that have ‘strong links’ to Vladimir Putin’s ‘murderous regime’.
Government to strengthen community role in planning
The Government has made clear it intends to strengthen the role of communities in new planning legislation.
MJ Housing: Sector speculates as Gove stands firm over housing
Despite bold pledges over the housing crisis, Michael Gove has accepted progress will not be as fast as originally planned. The levelling up secretary wants to build more homes – but only while involving local communities behind the developments, leading to some skepticism. Heather Jameson reports
A Queen’s Speech without jewels
Councils are at the forefront of demand when people pushed into poverty seek their support, writes Mo Baines. But she says the Queen’s Speech failed to embrace the role of councils by offering practical measures that would help residents.
EXCLUSIVE: Government 'risks battle' on moving districts' functions without consent
Districts will push to change the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure their functions cannot move to new combined county authorities (CCAs) without their consent, The MJ understands.
Social housing Bill 'imminent'
Housing minister Eddie Hughes this week insisted the Government would bring forward a social housing Bill ‘as quickly as possible’ as he apologised for delays.
Boring not bad
Sir Bob Neill says this wasn’t a Queen’s Speech packed with surprises, ‘but if dull means getting the job done, let’s welcome the dull’.
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
Government can abandon or change levelling up missions
The Government is leaving open the possibility of abandoning or changing the White Paper's levelling up missions and can delay reporting on them until after the General Election.
Gove ditches 300,000 homes target
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has ditched his targets to build 300,000 homes in year in a bid to get public support for developments.
The first steps towards fixing a damaged system?
Local government will still be left to pick up the pieces of the cost of living crisis that the Queen’s Speech has failed to address, says Heather Jameson. There needs to be a new plan to make public services fit for purpose.
Queen's Speech: Government plans to boost tenants rights
Two separate housing bills in the Queen’s Speech set out the Government plans to tackle tenants rights improve the private rented sector.
Queen's Speech: Government brings back measures to stop protestors 'locking on'
Boris Johnson’s government will bring back measures thrown out by the House of Lords in January to stop protesters ‘locking on’ to infrastructure.
Queen's Speech: Levelling up bill unveiled for planning reform
The Queen’s Speech has confirmed a levelling up Bill will include legislation on planning and regeneration reform.
Queen's Speech unveils plans to 'drive growth'
The Government has unveiled a Queen’s Speech to boost the economy, with plans to reform business rates finally coming to Parliament.
New Bill to put beauty at the heart of planning, says Gove
The Queen’s Speech is set to include a new bill to revamp planning and kick start housebuilding, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has revealed.
Government urged to overhaul public health laws
Public health leaders have the Government to overhaul legislation as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) sheds temporary workers taken on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall risk warning over election reforms
Whitehall officials have privately admitted councils could be overwhelmed by one of the largest sets of electoral reforms ever seen by local authorities, The MJ understands.
UK comes under pressure to adopt rights charter
Local leaders will continue to be ‘heavily constrained’ until the UK follows through on its promise to guarantee the rights of local government in law, a sector expert has warned.
