Tax
‘Cakeism’ still seems the solution de jour
Strategic hard choices are ones that most Conservatives – but also many voters at large – are happy to try and ignore, says Ben Page.
Tory voters strongly support levelling up
Levelling up is the most popular of Boris Johnson’s policies among current Conservative voters, with 81% wanting the Tory leadership candidates to keep the agenda, a new poll has found.
Deprivation should be the cornerstone of council funding
The Fair Funding Review presents a huge opportunity to get ‘levelling up’ back on track, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
As bad as rotten boroughs
We did not create universal suffrage in order for 0.5% of the electorate to vote for the next Prime Minister, a system as rotten as the 19th century rotten boroughs, says Michael Burton.
Even a rebrand will not stop levelling up
So will the next PM grasp the levelling up agenda and push it forward, asks Heather Jameson. 'Call it what you will, this is what councils do and will continue to do, whoever takes over at No10.'
Will the cap fit this time?
There are at least three reasons why more delays to the Government’s social care plans would not help secure a better system and could even make things worse. Richard Humphries explains.
IFS: public services to 'feel the squeeze'
The public sector faces a renewed squeeze from the summer due to inflation and higher than budgeted pay rises according to an Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) analysis of yesterday’s spring statement.
Social care needs more cash whether tax hike happens or not, says SIGOMA
Adult social care will need extra funding whether the Government’s planned tax hike goes ahead or not, the chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) has said.
White van man on... tax reform
I’m no expert on town hall finances, nor are the suits, judging by the mess they’re in, but a thought came to me as I was rolling my fifth Rizla in the motor while up the rear end of a dawdling VW Golf.
Tax reforms offer solutions to finance flaws - report
Changes to the current system could resolve issues around sufficiency and unfairness, and support local economies, according to new research commissioned by the Local Government Association.
Councils promised tax overhaul
Reform of council tax, including devolved powers for local authorities, are among the plans in a co-operation agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
District expectations tempered for Spending Review
The District Councils’ Network annual conference has heard reforms to local government finance are not expected in the short-term.
Fixing social care
Kathryn Smith outlines her main concerns about the Government’s new plans for tackling the crisis in social care and offers her vision for a ‘fully transformed’ system.
Chancellor faces tough call on on care, pensions and welfare
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will need to make a series of tough choices this autumn, the Resolution Foundation think-tank has said.
LGA backs rates revaluation reforms
The Local Government Association has backed more frequent business rates revaluations in its response to a Whitehall consultation.
Tax ‘loophole’ costs councils £110m
New research suggests business rates relief for holiday lets is currently worth £110m a year.
Business rates appeals to cost £1bn
Councils in England are braced for a £1.2bn loss as result of business rates appeals this year.
Government borrowing drops
Government borrowing last month at £24.3bn was £19.4bn lower than the same month in 2020 thanks to better than expected tax revenues.
What can councils do to stand up for fair tax conduct?
This is Fair Tax Week. Rachel Bentley says councils across the UK need to lead the way on tax conduct and ensure their practices stand up to scrutiny.
Council tax collection deficit hits £500m
Councils will need ‘additional help from taxpayers’ to balance their books, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy has warned.