MHCLG
Westminster turmoil piles on uncertainty for sector
Turmoil in Westminster has piled further uncertainty onto local government, as the sector awaits the provisional finance settlement and prepares for trips to the polls.
Councils may have to hand back grant
Some of the extra £55m Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) announced by the chancellor in the Budget may have to be handed back by councils.
Future Forum North: 'Government still doesn't think sector is efficient'
Whitehall remains unconvinced that local government is as efficient as it can be, Smith Square’s deputy chief executive, Sarah Pickup, has said.
Future Forum North: SOLACE president urges sector to be less humble
The sector has been urged to make the case for better funding itself instead of relying on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Brexit debates delay provisional finance settlement
Tomorrow’s provisional local government finance settlement has been delayed – just weeks after Whitehall agreed to bring it forward and fix a date.
Review into council fraud and corruption launched
Marsham Street is seeking input from councils as it carries out a review into procurement fraud.
Union's FoI reveals scale of youth centre cuts
At least 160 youth centres have closed since 2016, a report based on Freedom of Information Act requests by Unison claims.
Denial won’t make cash-poor councils’ problems vanish
It must be nice to be Melanie Dawes, to live a life of optimism and confidence. Few senior council figures will be as optimistic as she is, says Heather Jameson.
Brexit: The English Question
What of England? The progress James Brokenshire has made to engage with local government on Brexit in a more structured and receptive manner is welcome, but needs to be accelerated, writes Charlotte Morgan.
'Disastrous fall' in homes built for social rent
The number of homes built for social rent last year slumped to a fifth of the level seen a decade ago.
Local government hits out at Dawes
Local government has hit out at its top mandarin after she claimed councils were still sustainable as they only needed to provide statutory services.
EXCLUSIVE: The Bucks stops here
Local government secretary James Brokenshire will only invite new unitary proposals in the case of another Northamptonshire CC-type collapse, The MJ understands.
Lord Bourne urges bids for Windrush Day events cash
As the MHCLG launches a £500,000 fund to support councils and community groups in putting on events to celebrate national Windrush Day Communities Minister Lord Bourne says local authorities have a powerful role to play
Don’t risk your foundations
As investment by local authorities in land and buildings this year hits the ‘record breaking’ level of £4bn, Don Peebles warns them not to become too dependent on commercial income
Troubled Families funding could be extended beyond 2020
Funding for the Troubled Families programme could continue beyond 2020 after it was found three-quarters of councils are poised to make early intervention cuts.
Labour hits out at housing cash shift
Labour has called for all areas to receive greater Government backing after Whitehall shifted the focus of its housing cash.
Accounting rule changes delayed
Whitehall has agreed to extend a statutory override of new rules that will change the way councils have to treat investments in their final accounts.
Doubts raised over council house-building revolution
Doubts have been raised over the anticipated council house-building revolution promised by ministers after figures suggested the Government’s predictions may be over-ambitious.
Minister defends social housing green paper
Housing minister Kit Malthouse came to the defence of the social housing Green Paper during a grilling by MPs today.
EXCLUSIVE: No-deal Brexit disruption warning
Local authorities have been warned to prepare for up to three months of disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.