Michael Burton
Michael Burton is editorial director of The MJ
A conspiracy of silence
Both Conservatives and Labour have been coy about how they intend to improve public services, reduce taxes and raise living standards as Michael Burton reports.
OBR: Council borrowing for capital to halve
Council borrowing for capital projects is expected to almost halve due to curbs on commercial loans and interest rate rises.
The peer challenge
A reformed House of Lords must imply a new role in Parliament for local government leaders, says Michael Burton.
Big can be beautiful
A new 6,000-homes community near Rugby is seen by its master developer as the way forward for tackling the housing crisis, as Michael Burton reports.
The search for the Holy Grail of growth
In an exclusive interview, Lord Heseltine, the longstanding advocate of elected mayors, tells Michael Burton why powerful, devolved local government is essential for delivering the growth agenda.
Heseltine and Clark hit out over LEPs
Two former Conservative Cabinet ministers have hit out at plans to wind up England’s 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP).
Lyons: Where are we now?
The Lyons review of local government was published 17 years ago. If the inquiry recommendations had been put in place, would local government be in the position it is now? The MJ gathered a panel of experts – including Sir Michael Lyons – to ask just that. Michael Burton reports.
Manchester leads list for local government in New Year honours
The chief executives of both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
Gove reveals 'name and shame' approach to planning
Housing secretary Michael Gove has ordered seven councils to come up with a timetable for producing their delayed local housing plans in his much-trailed speech on a strategy for building more homes.
Review into London's 'woeful' housebuilding figures
Housing secretary Michael Gove has ordered a review into London’s housing shortages claiming the number of new homes is far below the level needed and calling it ‘a woeful picture.’
Fund to go to town centre 'champions'
New guidance for the government’s £1.1bn ‘long term plan for towns’ has confirmed the boards in charge of spending the cash should be led by a local independent chair who will act as a ‘champion’ for the town.
Levelling up’s showbiz touch
Last week’s Chanel fashion spectacle in Manchester was a global triumph for the city, but addressing regional inequalities still remains a huge challenge for the next Government, says Michael Burton.
Public services out in the cold
There was little joy for under-pressure public sector budgets including local government from last week’s Autumn Statement as Michael Burton reports.
Autumn Statement: Unprotected departments face further cuts
So-called ‘unprotected’ Whitehall departments face further budget tightening despite a pledge in the Autumn Statement to increase public sector productivity.
Mixed economic news for chancellor ahead of autumn statement
The chancellor has received mixed news on the economy the day before the autumn statement, with official figures showing record borrowing last month and higher interest payments offset by better-than-expected tax revenues.
DLUHC to be hit by real term budget cuts, think-tank warns
The levelling up department is to be hit by real term budget cuts over the next five years despite buoyant tax revenues, a pre-Autumn Statement report from the Resolution Foundation think-tank has warned.
Shaping the post-pandemic workforce
The Society of Personnel and Development Scotland (SPDS), which represents HR professionals across most of Scotland’s 32 councils, meets this week for its annual conference in St Andrews. Outgoing president Jane Fowler and incoming president Elaine Barrie outline the workforce challenges.
'Devolution hopes rest on combined authorities'
Combined authorities represent the greatest hope for devolution in England, according to a new report based on interviews with 95 former ministers and Whitehall mandarins.
Old wine in new bottles
The names on the doors may change, but regional policy will remain a priority for the next Government, says Michael Burton.
Time to bring in the experts
With public sector reform back on the agenda and Whitehall under critical scrutiny, Michael Burton says it is time to call in the experts from local government to expedite change.