Local government leaders are ramping up their campaign for clear new laws that would allow councils to set up mutuals. Nathan Elvery, chairman of the inadvertently controversial Local Authority Mutual Limited (LAML), this week joined the Local Government Association and London Councils in calling on ministers to legislate for mutual arrangements in the forthcoming Queen's Speech. It follows the Court of Appeal's ruling this summer that the establishment of LAML – a London-based mutual set up to provide cheap property and security insurance to member councils – had acted beyond statutory powers for local authorities. Ministers had previously encouraged councils to use ‘wellbeing' powers to provide money-saving schemes, only for the first major legal test – the establishment of LAML – to be ruled illegal. The LGA and London Councils now want ministers to uphold their pledge to ensure local authorities are fully empowered to establish money-saving arrangements. Mr Elvery said: ‘Every day's delay in putting this right is costing public money. We need the Government's words to be turned into prompt action.'