MHCLG
Select committee chair urges scrapping of social care Green Paper
A senior backbencher has called for the social care Green Paper to be scrapped.
Further delay to devolution drive
The Government’s repeatedly-delayed devolution framework will not be published until after Brexit, minister Jake Berry has admitted.
Hopes for legislative backing behind new code
An overhaul of financial management in councils could be enshrined in law, according to a consultation that stakeholders must respond to within days to influence.
EXCLUSIVE: Government to hear Brexit legal base fears
Continuing concerns around the future legal base of regulatory work after Brexit will be raised at the next EU exit local government delivery board, The MJ understands.
Housing shortage hampers councils' homelessness reduction efforts, MPs told
A social housing shortage is holding back councils from preventing homelessness, MPs have heard.
Government to push ahead with 75% rates retention in 2020/21
Whitehall will push ahead with plans to implement 75% business rates retention in 2020/21 despite calls for a one-year delay, The MJ understands.
Government review to look at council audit response
The Government will use its planned review of a key law to look at how councils respond to issues identified by auditors, The MJ has learnt.
EXCLUSIVE: Concern over councils' ability to cope with polls
Council chiefs have raised concerns with Government about the sector’s capacity to run EU elections so close on the heels of local polls.
Labour to tighten control over Enfield group
The Labour Party will tighten its control over the local Enfield group following a months-long investigation into internal party processes.
Kara: Financial sustainability about more than just money
The key ingredients of financial sustainability have been outlined by a senior sector figure speaking at The MJ’s Future Forum.
EXCLUSIVE: Call for inspection pause in case of Brexit hit
Council chiefs have urged Whitehall to be ready to ease pressures on the sector for up to six months if Brexit threatens to stretch capacity.
We need the widest possible look at council finances
The MHCLG review of the money councils get is welcome - but we need a wider look at local authorities' responsibilities and funding from across Government departments, argues Gary Fielding.
Travelling on the long road to improvement
After the big developments of the past week – with the improvement team finishing its intervention and a stern report warning of the work still to be done to stabilise Birmingham’s finances, Heather Jameson talks to chief executive Dawn Baxendale
EXCLUSIVE: LGA in finance director plea
Council finance directors have been urged to detail the pressures facing services and the savings they have been forced to make in a new survey.
LGA braced for disappointment over Brexit funding reforms
Local government’s hopes for a dramatic post-Brexit shake-up of funding are fading.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall warned as Brexit tensions grow
‘Early signs’ of escalating community tensions and hate crime related to Brexit have been reported to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), The MJ has learnt.
Local government pension reforms challenged
The legality of proposed reforms to local government pension schemes has been questioned.
Ministry uses 'gossip' to scrutinise commercial investments
Marsham Street has been accused of relying on ‘gossip’ to track councils’ commercial ventures.
Experts warn of 'gap' in scrutiny of council finances
An inquiry into council finance has heard warnings of a gap in oversight of the sector.
Council housebuilding figures highest in 17 years
Local authorities built 3,540 homes in the UK in 2017/18, the highest in 17 years. according to latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, but a total of 12,059 council homes were sold.