Whitehall
Video conferencing first at council meeting
A council used software to help decide key planning applications in what is believed to be the first meeting of its kind in the country.
Lack of vital worker protection ‘shameful’
Local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has demanded that local government workers get access to crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the coronavirus crisis.
Councils start to pay out business grants
Thousands of small firms have begun to receive £25,000 cash grants from councils as part of a £22bn government package in response to COVID-19.
Care providers in law change call
Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
EXCLUSIVE: No Whitehall standstill despite coronavirus
Whitehall officials have insisted that they want to make progress with other government business despite the coronavirus crisis.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall mulls s114 suspension or another cash bailout
Whitehall is weighing up another cash bailout or suspending Section 114 rules with at least 10% of councils at risk of financial meltdown, The MJ understands.
Pocklington takes on top role at Ministry
Jeremy Pocklington has been named as the new permanent secretary for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Hancock writes to ‘brilliant’ care workers
Health secretary Matt Hancock has published a letter to care workers to thank them for ‘going the extra mile’ during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Finance directors told to get cash to firms quickly
Whitehall officials have suggested that English council finance directors redeploy resources and take on temporary staff to ensure businesses receive promised government grants quickly.
Care sector unprepared for coronavirus ‘struggle’
Emergency measures have not gone far enough to ready the social care sector for the impact of coronavirus, experts have warned.
End of week rough sleeping deadline
Councils have been asked to support rough sleepers into accommodation by the end of the week amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Now is not the time for Westminster to tighten its centralising grip
Reducing the spread of the virus requires Westminster to loosen the reins of power and to trust decision-makers in local and combined authorities to know what is right for their communities, argues Sarah Longlands.
EXCLUSIVE: Coronavirus hubs must be ready to step in if system fails - Jenrick
The network of hubs being created to support people at very high risk amid the coronavirus crisis must be ready to help with crucial deliveries, local government secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
Sector on 'turbo-charge' to get homeless off streets
Local government is on ‘turbo-charge’ in its efforts to get the homeless off the streets amid the coronavirus crisis, the Prime Minister’s adviser on rough sleeping has said.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
Johnson stops short of closing parks but some shut anyway
Some UK councils have closed parks and other public spaces in a bid to protect people from the spread of coronavirus.
Union brands protective promise 'too little too late'
Trade union Unite has branded the Government’s promise that social care workers would have full protective equipment in a week as ‘too little too late’.
Government working to ensure 'networks remain resilient'
The Government has said it is ‘in regular contact’ with broadband and mobile operators to make sure ‘networks remain resilient’ during the coronavirus pandemic.
Make payments to suppliers quickly, councils told
The Government has told the public sector to make payments to suppliers quickly to maintain cash flow and protect jobs amid the coronavirus crisis.
Firms say government needs to do more
Key firms providing services to councils have welcomed measures to mitigate the damaging effects of the Covid-19 crisis but said more needs to be done.