Policy
Missing the bigger picture?
It’s easy to ignore major issues and focus on smaller things to do and improve. But, argues Dan Corry, in public services there comes a time when you can no longer ignore that fact that the system is not working.
Why we must reform public sector procurement
There is a growing clamour for post-Brexit public procurement reform, writes Mark Robinson.
Out-of-borough children home placements rocket
Department for Education figures have shown a 78% increase in youngsters placed in children’s homes out of their borough.
Universal Credit halt calls grow
Ministers have come under renewed pressure to halt the rollout of Universal Credit as housing rent arrears soar under the flagship welfare scheme.
McDonnell: Do not let officers determine policies
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has warned Labour councillors not to let their officers determine the policies of their councils.
Government confirms transitional funding could continue
Whitehall’s transitional funding arrangements could continue into 2019/20, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has revealed.
New care legislation blamed for overspend
Dundee City Council is predicting a £4.2m overspend against its adjusted 2017/18 revenue budget, councillors will hear next week.
Devo ‘not the only game in town’
Devolution is not essential for every local authority, the Northern Powerhouse minister has said in a dramatic policy shift.
Financial uncertainty forcing councils to award shorter contracts
The Government should offer subsidised loans to cash-strapped councils to encourage them to award longer contracts to organisations that support children with mental health difficulties, a think-tank has urged.
Finance concerns grow in wake of Grenfell
Council finance directors are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of the Grenfell Tower fire on their budgets.
Appeal granted over ‘unlawful’ boycott of Israel
The Government has received permission to appeal a court ruling that found its attempt to prevent councils boycotting Israel through their pension schemes was ‘unlawful’.
Men dominate top roles at authorities
Female chief executives are outnumbered two to one even though women make up 78% of the local government workforce in England, new research has revealed.
Core Cities' Brexit call
The leaders of the UK’s biggest cities this week called on the Government give them greater discretion to deal with the consequences of Brexit.
Public sector pay cap remains in force
The Government has held firm in the face of pressure for it to ease-up on below inflation pay awards for public servants.
Javid: Sector must rebuild public trust
Councils have been warned they are facing a ‘looming crisis in confidence’ in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire by communities secretary Sajid Javid.
We can help you achieve your objectives, Westminster
Jo Miller looks at the current state of the state and argues local government could make best use of the public purse because it understands the unintended consequences of Westminster policies.
Hammond hints at easing of austerity
Chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted he could ease some of the financial pressures on local government brought about by prolonged austerity.
Ministers accused of ducking pollution issue
Council and professional bodies have accused ministers of passing responsibility for tackling illegal levels of air pollution to local authorities without clarity or adequate funding.
Lower-tier councils pull out of Sheffield devolution deal
Bassetlaw DC has become the second lower-tier council to back away from participation in the Sheffield city region’s devolution bid.
Social care has taken a beating in the elections too
Theresa May is not the only potential casualty of this election. The social care issue has taken a pretty severe political beating as well, says Adam Lent