Scotland
Scotland 'should grasp nettle' of council tax reform
Holyrood should go further in overhauling taxation, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has concluded.
Unison urges members to vote for strike
Scotland’s biggest public service trade union has advised council workers to vote for industrial action in a ballot over pay.
Westminster to face Holyrood in court
The UK Government claims two proposed Scottish laws designed to protect councils and children undermine its sovereignty.
COSLA pay offer ‘slap in the face,’ says union
Trade union Unison has accused the body representing local authorities in Scotland of making a pay offer that ‘falls far short’ of what workers deserve.
Scottish pandemic recovery prospects ‘severely eroded’
The prospects for post-pandemic recovery in Scotland have been 'severely eroded' by funding constraints, councils have said
BUDGET 2021: New freeport sites confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak closed his Budget speech today with a commitment to eight new freeport sites - international gateways that will enjoy a raft of tax breaks from later this year.
Conservative call to ring-fence budget for councils
A new Barnett-type formula should be introduced that would legally mandate the Scottish Government to deliver a ring-fenced percentage of its budget to councils, Conservatives have argued.
Scottish councils receive £275m COVID-19 boost
The Scottish Government has announced £275m of additional funding for local authorities to assist with financial pressures as a result of the pandemic.
New review puts case for a National Care Service in Scotland
An independent review of adult care services in Scotland has called for urgent improvements in workforce planning, pay and conditions, and a rethink on charging policies.
Rural economic growth deal secured
A £70m rural economic growth deal has been agreed between the Scottish and UK governments and Argyll and Bute Council.
Looking at the long term impact of Scottish council tax freeze
In Scotland, the devolved government announced £90m to compensate councils that choose to freeze council tax next year. Joanne Pitt says that while this is a helpful lifeline it comes at the cost of reduced council tax income in the future.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts on Jenrick over audit
Whitehall officials are putting communities secretary Robert Jenrick under pressure to change course after he failed to implement a key recommendation of the Redmond Review, The MJ understands.
Cross-party backing for European charter
The European charter of local self-government took a step closer to being incorporated into Scots law after a Bill received cross-party support at stage one.
Opinion split over election date
Concerned council chief executives have continued to express safety fears about holding elections in May despite regional returning officers telling ministers it can be done.
Scottish Budget 'falls short'
The Scottish Government’s £11.6bn budget ‘falls short of the fair funding local government requires,’ councils have said.
Scottish councils' cost call
Scottish local authorities have called for the costs of COVID-19 to be met by the Government north of the border.
Spending watchdog raises concerns over integration joint boards
Councils in Scotland are having to prop up integration joint boards (IJBs), the spending watchdog has warned.
LGA pauses tourism levy calls
The Local Government Association (LGA) has agreed to pause its work gathering an evidence base for the introduction of a tourism levy.
EXCLUSIVE: Election officers bid for legal protection
Returning officers have called for protection against lawsuits for running this year’s elections if the Government sticks to holding them in May during a pandemic.
Labour announces ‘constitutional commission’ on devolution
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it will look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.
