Thomas Bridge
Autumn Statement: Hammond ‘reinforces’ Universal Credit with benefit tweaks
Phillip Hammond has announced an overhaul of the speed at which benefits are withdrawn under Universal Credit.
‘United action necessary’ as homelessness numbers soar
Council and charity leaders have launched fresh calls for united action on homelessness after figures revealed spiralling pressure on local budgets.
Making change happen
Sandra Dinneen has high ambitions for the future of local government. She talks to Thomas Bridge about the approach sector leaders must take, the future of council structures and her verdict on the new communities secretary
Commission launched to ‘rethink’ economy
A new commission has been launched to examine the challenges facing sustainable growth and provide practical recommendations for reform.
Economic growth strategy slammed by RSA’s Flanders
The UK’s ‘clunky, centrally-planned’ approach to economic growth must be scrapped if all communities are to benefit, an expert has warned.
Hammond urged to tackle budget black hole
Local government has united to demand financial clarity from next week’s Autumn Statement amid fears there is ‘little prospect’ of further fiscal devolution.
Devolution a ‘missed opportunity’ without community powers
Devolution to local government will ‘only be successful’ if communities are given a greater stake in deals, the Co-operative Party has claimed.
Gordon Brown: Let local regions form own EU deals
Gordon Brown has called for greater devolution of financial powers to local regions, including freedoms to make new deals with the EU.
Give councils health powers to end NHS ‘confusion’
Councils must be given greater responsibility over regional health services to end ‘confusion’ between social care and the NHS, a review has concluded.
Communities face deeper division as segregation becomes 'more amplified'
Fears have been raised that the UK is ‘sleepwalking’ into entrenched divisions between ethnic minority communities and white British people.
Stronger governance ‘essential’ for STPs
Stronger governance will be ‘essential’ to ensure Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) can put measures into action, health experts have said.
Javid keeps hope on Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
The Government this week insisted it had not given up on the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal despite two councils rejecting plans for a combined authority.
Authorities’ conundrum over legality of MRP recalculations
Councils are ‘uncertain’ about the legality of their response to debt costs, as mounting pressure looms over revenue spending.
Isle of Wight U-turns to back Solent deal
Plans for a Solent Combined Authority have been approved by Isle of Wight Council, following a U-turn on local support.
Lincolnshire CC reject and ‘kill off’ devo deal
Lincolnshire CC has rejected plans for a Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority and ‘killed off’ the prospect of a local devolution deal.
SOLACE Summit: Devolve 'critical' powers for inclusive growth
Local government needs greater powers over education and funding if regions are to deliver inclusive growth, experts have said.
SOLACE Summit: Casey urges local government to ‘renew itself’ after Brexit
Local government must ‘renew itself’ following four years of ‘seismic change’, according to the director general of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
SOLACE Summit: Miller vows to ‘champion women’ as president
Jo Miller has vowed to ‘champion women’ and ‘unlock’ council talent as she takes on the role of president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE).
Lesson from the chair
Gavin Jones speaks to Thomas Bridge about the future priorities of SOLACE, his views on new president Jo Miller and what local government needs from its top team
It’s ‘all or nothing’ for devolution deals
Devolution deals were this week hanging in the balance, as council leaders were warned local support must be ‘all or nothing’ for agreements to proceed.