Skills
Without a place-focused economic response, pre-coronavirus inequalities will become even more entrenched
In places that were often struggling prior to COVID-19 such as Barnsley or Stoke just 20% of people could work from home, writes Andrew Carter; the virus will have a bigger and longer-term impact in areas where the economy has now ground to a halt.
Levelling up and the Budget
Lord Bob Kerslake argues that a coherent plan is needed to ensure the Budget’s new capital spending and R&D cash geared at areas outside London and the South East has maximum impact.
The future of British Steel looks ‘very positive’
Securing the former Redcar steelworks site from SSI marks the start of a new era for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, says Ben Houchen - and the Chancellor’s £22.5m commitment for the Materials Processing Institute was a critical step forward.
Identifying and assessing candidate motivation
Often a tough quality to pin down, assessing motivation from prospective candidates is an important step to finding the right person for the role. Philip Emms and Tim Hills of Gatenby Sanderson offer some insight.
Transforming our thinking about digital
The mission of the London Office of Technology and Innovation is to boost boroughs’ ability to innovate, build common capability, and to foster digital innovation designed to improve lives, says Philip Glanville.
Don’t just leave us to muddle through
Anita Charlesworth examines what the Government’s radical new immigration plans mean for social care – and says it ‘now needs to join up the dots between its policies’ and commit to adequately funding the sector.
Go big or go home
Chair of the UK2070 Commission into spatial inequalities Lord Bob Kerslake says everyone will lose if we fail to tackle the widening productivity and wealth gap.
We are £1 better off compared to 2008
After more than a decade, average pay has risen above its pre-election levels. Michael Burton asks what the future may hold for pay and productivity
Councils are not benefiting from the value that diversity brings
Stephen Jeffery says councils are falling short when it comes to making the most of the diversity and value brought by apprenticeships.
Grime and punishment: cleaning up Christmas
Anne Marie Scott, director of human resources at Oxford Direct Services (ODS) talks about how the behind-the-scene heroes are recruited, retained and rewarded for the huge annual post-Christmas challenge.
Designing a new apprenticeship for the sector
Amy Newnham describes how Adur and Worthing councils are working alongside a band of employers to create a service design apprenticeship qualification.
Let's put investment into our school buildings
Schools capital allocations have been skewed by political priorities, says Gary Fielding As a result, North Yorkshire CC 'find ourselves with swathes of the country having insufficient places to meet demand and/or poor building conditions'.
Not a business as usual approach
Metro Dynamics has launched a guide for people working in and with towns that distils what it has learned over the past few years, based on eight principles. Mike Emmerich explains.
Creating a country that works for all
Arianna Giovannini of IPPR North says that whichever party emerges as the winner on 13 December should prioritise rebalancing our national economy - creating a country that works for everyone.
Working with young people across Medway to reduce the number of NEET
Medway Council has achieved significant falls in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Ian Sutherland explains how this has been achieved.
Tackling race inequality is not just morally right – it also makes good economic sense
As Bristol approaches the first anniversary of its Equality Charter, Cllr Asher Craig says the city has forged ahead with initiatives to begin delivering real change to BAME communities.
Nine myths about your council’s digital transformation
Michael Taylor drives customer expansion in the UK for novoville, the citizen engagement and digital transformation expert with over 50 clients in 3 European countries. Here he analyses some of the common digital fears that councils harbour.
'If you want to see my achievements look around you'
It is the four political offices at the LGA who have ensured consistent political support and the effective ‘hidden wiring’ to identify the local talent among their councillors and provide the vital follow-up and mentoring, says Paul Wheeler.
Time for transformation
Chair of Solace Gavin Jones tells local government to reverse public services’ polarity that sees demand as a drain rather than a resource.
Austerity's toll on competency framework requirements
If austerity is coming to an end then maybe it's time some of those who have held frontline services together got some reward and recognition for doing so, says Paul O'Brien.