Queens Speech
EXCLUSIVE: Single tier fear reignited
County councils are being offered the option of unitary local government as part of a devolution deal, The MJ understands.
Working together after the storm
At first glance there’s much for local government to get its teeth into in the Queen’s Speech, not least the promise of further devolution, says Bob Neill. But more frustratingly the wait continues for the Green Paper on social care.
Devo paper to target 'structural reform'
Local Government leaders have urged ministers to consult them ahead of a White Paper on ‘structural and institutional reform’ of combined authorities.
Boosting Britain needs more than a fistful of Bills
Following the Queen's Speech, Heather Jameson says that personally her glass is at least half-full. But as the Prime Minister prepares to boost Britain after we leave the EU, Government policy is looking somewhat paradoxical.
We need the power
The Queen's Speech made it clear that Government has been listening to the LGA on some key issues, says James Jamieson - 'but we now need a long-term settlement that gives local government the powers, money and certainty to transform their areas'.
Queen's speech: Social care White Paper to be published
The Government has promised to finally bring forward proposals to reform adult social care and will consult on providing councils with the power to introduce an annual 2% precept.
Queen's speech: national infrastructure strategy set for revamp
The Queen's Speech has pledged a revamped national infrastructure strategy designed to help support growth across the UK, as well as an aviation bill and proposals for rail reform.
Queen's Speech: Latest
See all The MJ's coverage of the Queen's Speech, from Brexit to devolution, voter ID and plans to tackle violent crime
Queen's speech: Councils promised new powers to tackle pollution
The Queen’s Speech promised an Environment Bill which will establish a ‘world-leading’ independent regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, and hand some new powers to councils.
Queen's speech: Devolution White Paper to set out 'structural reform'
An English devolution White Paper is planned by the Government, it has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech.
Queen's speech: Devo Bill expected in first Queen's Speech since 2017
Devolution is expected to feature in today’s Queen’s Speech as the Government outlines its planned legislation for the first time since 2017.
Plans for voter ID bill branded 'dangerous and undemocratic'
Plans to introduce voter ID across the whole country have been branded ‘dangerous, misguided and undemocratic’ by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS).
Devolution legislation planned for Queen's Speech
The Government is planning to launch the next round of devolution legislation in the Queen’s Speech, The MJ understands.
Education secretary appears at ADCS conference for first time in a decade
Provision for care leavers and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) dominated a speech by education secretary Damian Hinds.
Dawn Baxendale: Chiefs have lost their public service raison d’être
Dawn Baxendale speaks to Sam Clayden about how Southampton City Council – and local government as a whole – will be grappling with an increasingly uncertain future
Westminster could learn something from local place leadership
Judith Blake highlights some of the outstanding examples of whole-place leadership in the UK's cities - an approach those in Westminster may be wise to adopt.
Local Government Finance Bill: A big let-down for the sector
With a parliamentary agenda lacking much in terms of legislation for the next two years aside from a series of Bills aimed at delivering a ‘smooth and orderly’ Brexit, Sam Clayden reports on the sector’s reaction to last week's Queen's Speech.
Local government has been left in limbo
A lack of finance reform legislation may give local government the chance to craft a better solution for the future of funding, writes Heather Jameson.
Where next for local government financial reform?
With the falling of the Local Government Finance Bill, the IFS's David Phillips assesses where this leaves reforms to the sector's finance system.
Central government inertia spells opportunities for cities
Central inertia and growing concern about the economy presents real opportunities for city leaders to show their fundamental importance, writes Patrick White.