Politics
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.
Who do public servants owe their loyalty to?
Public servants' role in stewardship of institutions, publicly defining fact and sharing advice, needs updating to take account of our very different world, argues Graeme McDonald.
EXCLUSIVE: Government prepares for new rate reliefs
The Government has started to prepare the ground for the introduction of new business rate reliefs after its previous efforts were labelled a ‘shambles’.
Government social care plans to be published this year - Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today vowed to publish the Government’s long-awaited social care plans this year.
Permitted development pressure on Government grows
Pressure is growing on the Government to conclude its review of homes built under controversial permitted development rights and scrap the rules.
Starmer pledges new partnership with councillors in leadership bid
Labour leadership hopeful Keir Starmer has written to councillors in a bid to garner support in the election race.
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.
'Ambitious programme of domestic reform' promised in Queen's Speech
The second Queen’s Speech in almost as many months has promised an ‘ambitious programme of domestic reform’.
Whitehall schtum as Gwynne calls for provisional settlement
Shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne has called on ministers to publish the provisional finance settlement immediately with Whitehall tight-lipped on its timing.
This will be a different Conservative Government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says the fact that the Conservative majority has been won by gaining seats in towns in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England will make a difference.
Devolution revolution expected after Johnson wins
Local government was this morning expecting a devolution revolution after Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a sweeping election win.
Council leader resigns after being 'kept in the dark'
Torridge DC has elected a new leader after a stinging resignation statement from its outgoing top councillor.
Future Forum North: IFS boss praises 'sensible' Labour tax proposals
The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has urged whoever is elected next week to look at ‘sensible’ dividend and capital gains tax proposals.
Lib Dems unveil plans to tackle homelessness
The Liberal Democrats have set out a raft of plans to end rough sleeping in the run up to the General Election.
Conservatives call for care consensus in cautious manifesto
The Conservatives are set to keep the council tax cap, seek cross-party consensus on social care reform and toughen powers to tackle illegal traveller encampments if they win the General Election.
Council spending powers to be restored to 2010 levels under Labour
Labour would ‘reverse the Tory decade of austerity for local government’ and aim to restore council spending powers to 2010 levels by 2024 if elected.
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.
Fielding suggests return to revenue support grant
The president of the Society of County Treasurers, Gary Fielding, has suggested local government should continue to be funded by a revenue support grant.
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.