Sajid Javid
Getting back in the groove
As the country prepares to open up to gatherings again, Heather Jameson rounds up last week’s major annual virtual conferences – and finds an air of optimism within the sector despite the challenges ahead.
Javid: Devolution crucial in levelling up
Former local government secretary Sajid Javid has stressed the importance of devolution in the drive towards levelling up the country.
Javid calls for 'fresh look at local government'
Former communities secretary Sajid Javid has called for a ‘fresh look at local government’.
LEPs need capacity boost to improve delivery, research finds
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) would be better at delivering large-scale capital projects if they had more capacity, independent research for the Government has found.
Government reaffirms support for LEPs
The Government has reaffirmed its support for local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) ahead of this autumn’s local recovery and devolution White Paper.
CCN steps back from backing 'radical' shake-up
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) will hold back from calling for historic boundaries to determine the entire local government map in the coming reorganisation shake-up, The MJ understands.
Javid urges reorganisation and devolution post-COVID
Council tax reform and local government reorganisation should both play a part in the post COVID economic recovery, former communities secretary Sajid Javid has said.
March 11 Budget creates 'deep risk' for councils
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has written to the Chancellor warning of the ‘deep risk facing councils’ from delaying the Budget until March 11.
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.
Devolution to 'level up' economic fortunes - report
A think-tank has called on ministers to further embrace local government devolution in order to level up the economic fortunes of the country.
Jenrick in new anti-semitism drive
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has written to every council in the country calling on them to adopt an international definition of anti-semitism or explain themselves.
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.
Javid promises devo White Paper
A new White Paper to devolve more powers to local areas was announced in the Chancellor’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today.
Stinging criticism over ministry's double rates error
Labour has launched a scathing attack as the Government continues to drag its heels over resolving repeated errors in the business rates formula.
Sajid’s spending no closer to fixing our broken sector
Normal rules no longer apply under the present Government, Heather Jameson writes, but the local government finance system remains broken.
MHCLG failure to recruit chief scientific adviser 'astounding'
An ongoing failure by Marsham Street to recruit a Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) is ‘astounding,’ according to shadow science minister Chi Onwurah.
Burnham leads revolt over 'mounting chaos' in asylum dispersal system
Critics have claimed the Government’s policy on asylum seekers is ‘entirely driven by cost considerations’.
Finance settlement to be brought forward
Whitehall has agreed to bring forward the local government finance settlement after an independent review.
MPs call for devolution expansion
The current programme of English devolution to combined authorities and mayors should be expanded and greater powers devolved, MPs have said.
Glasgow warns of 'humanitarian crisis' over Serco contract
Glasgow faces a ‘humanitarian crisis’ if plans to evict up to 300 asylum seekers without warning go ahead, local politicians have warned.
