inequality
Driving positive outcomes must be top of metro mayors' agenda
Improving outcomes for communities is at the heart of successful devolution and metro mayors must put in place a plan to achieve this from day one, says Kerry Scott.
There’s real value in our arts
Council support for arts and culture is at serious risk amid the latest funding crisis. But we must find a way to sustain the arts as a remedy to our deepest challenges, says Alison Mckenzie-Folan.
A call for transparency and accountability
Local government must confront pressing 'elephant in the room' issues head-on if it is to foster transparency, accountability and effective governance, says chief executive of Local Partnerships Adele Gritten.
Dashboard compares healthy life expectancy across councils
A data tool to compare healthy life expectancy across all councils in England has been launched by The Health Foundation.
Connecting health to cohesion
The evidence showing the importance of social cohesion to health, and the damage loneliness causes to mental health, is compelling. Ann McGauran reports.
Hackney through an anti-racist lens
Dawn Carter-McDonald says Hackney LBC’s commitment to being an actively anti-racist council is at the centre of its goals and values.
Local government can drive an inclusive transition to net zero
Emily Morrison calls for a place-based approach to net zero transition, saying national policy is failing to support the UK’s poorest households towards a carbon-neutral future.
Reducing infant mortality in Sheffield
No one element made the difference when it came to reducing Sheffield’s disproportionately high infant mortality rates, says Greg Fell – instead a 20-year commitment reaped incredible rewards.
When prevention is the real cure
Greg Fell draws from examples across the British Isles to highlight some of the work done by directors of public health to support residents to lead longer and healthier lives.
We don’t need a Lyons’ 2.0
With the seminal 2007 Lyons Review in focus, Ben Franklin and Annabel Smith look at why place-shaping has captured the zeitgeist and argue local government does not need another review, and should instead 'get on and do it'.
Don’t cut the HSF lifeline to families in distress
A failure to extend the Household Support Fund beyond March will be catastrophic for many people in the poorest communities, says chair of Core Cities Cllr Bev Craig.
Fresh wave of devolution could reduce regional inequalities, says report
An overhaul of the local government system and a fresh wave of devolution have been put forward as solutions to regional inequalities in a report.
This is not a slow burning threat
We urgently need the Government to develop a national strategy to tackle the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms, says John Pearce.
England should become a Marmot Nation
ICSs will need to get firmly onto the front foot if they are to deliver their goals, including delivering more seamless health and social care services, say Phil Hope and Steve Barwick.
Ombudsman calls for Royal Commission for social housing
The Housing Ombudsman has called for the establishment of a Royal Commission to deliver a long-term plan for social housing that tackles social injustices.
Is leisure now a liability or an opportunity to support healthier communities?
The three key challenges being faced by council leisure services can be addressed positively to protect services and deliver greater benefits to communities. Leading consultancy SLC share their recent successes with local authority leisure procurement.
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.
Putting health first across the council
With entries now open for The MJ Achievement Awards 2024, there is a great chance to celebrate the work councils are doing to create healthy places, say Katherine Merrifield and Gwen Nightingale.
Why regional policy failed
A report looks at the lessons from in-depth interviews with experts on why UK regional policy has been a failure for 40 years. Ann McGauran reports from a fiery panel discussion on the findings.
Councils are stepping in to address the public health policy gap
Gains in life expectancy have stalled and inequalities are rising. Adam Briggs of the Health Foundation looks at what local authorities can do to protect their communities from tobacco, alcohol, and junk food.
