Investment | LocalGov


Newcastle chief defends Saudi investment 22/04/2025 Newcastle City Council’s chief executive has reportedly defended the authority seeking investment from Saudi Arabia following criticism of engagement with the controversial regime.
Blackpool to invest £30m in coastline defences 17/04/2025 Blackpool Council has announced a £30m investment to construct new coastline defences to prevent erosion.
London schools to benefit from energy efficiency measures 15/04/2025 Thirty-eight schools in London are set to benefit from £2.9m of City Hall funding to help them become more energy efficient, according to the Mayor of London.
Government backs £30m Doncaster airport investment 10/04/2025 The Government has backed the decision by the South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard to invest £30m to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).
Universal theme park deal ‘landmark moment’ 09/04/2025 The agreement of a deal with Universal to open a new theme park in Bedford – billed as one of the largest in Europe – has been welcomed as a ‘landmark moment’.
Council leader welcomes £1.6bn defence contract extension 27/03/2025 The leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has welcomed the Chancellor’s Spring Statement announcement of a five-year £1.6bn defence contract extension.
Affordable housing gets £2bn funding boost 25/03/2025 The Government has announced £2bn in funding aimed at delivering up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes.
Great British Energy announces £10m for metro mayors 24/03/2025 Metro mayors are set to benefit from a £10m funding boost from Great British Energy aimed at supporting the delivery of new clean energy projects.
Heritage-led high streets regeneration brings in £245m 18/03/2025 Heritage-led regeneration can help revive struggling high streets and redefine how local authorities revitalise town centres, according to Historic England.
Peterborough requires £8.8bn to reach net zero 17/03/2025 An investment of £8.8bn is required if Peterborough City Council is to achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2040, according to a council document.
Lancashire councillors agree £28m for pothole repairs 10/03/2025 Lancashire councillors have earmarked nearly £28m to repair potholes as part of a larger investment in the county’s highways infrastructure over the next year.
Council green lights multi-billion-pound data centre 06/03/2025 Plans for a multi-billion-pound data centre are a step closer to being realised after the local authority granted the proposals planning permission.
Wealth fund backs social housing retrofit loans 03/03/2025 The National Wealth Fund (NWF) has announced plans to guarantee £250m of loans to housing associations to support the retrofitting of social housing.
London’s high streets get £21m regeneration boost 28/02/2025 London’s high streets are to benefit from £21m additional funding this year aimed at regenerating the capital’s high streets.
Spending Review chance to end ‘permacrisis’ 11/02/2025 The Spending Review is a chance to end the ‘permacrisis’ that has left a growing number of local authorities on the brink of bankruptcy, London Councils says.
Government told to ‘spend a penny’ on public toilets 10/02/2025 Campaigners have launched a new campaign to encourage the Government to invest in the delivery of public toilets.
Port Talbot receives £8m of regeneration funding 06/02/2025 Port Talbot is set to receive £8.2m of regeneration funding in a move expected to deliver 100 jobs.
Flood defence funding boost ‘tip of the iceberg’ 05/02/2025 Defra's decision to top up funding for flood defences by £250m raises spending in this area to record levels but is still just ‘tip of the iceberg’, MPs say.
Green light for Greater Manchester’s £86m clean air scheme 24/01/2025 The Government has backed Greater Manchester’s decision not to implement a clean air zone (CAZ) and instead to take an ‘investment-led approach’ to pollution.
Children's social care faces 'biggest overhaul in a generation' 18/11/2024 The Government has announced a slew of children's social care reforms, including new responsibilities for councils.
Chancellor confirms pension ‘megafund’ plans 14/11/2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed plans to merge local government pension schemes into ‘megafunds’ to drive economic growth.
Council’s risk profile could ‘jeopardise’ financial stability 12/11/2024 A governance review has praised Eastleigh Borough Council for its investments but warned its risk profile could ‘jeopardise its financial stability’.
Reeves to call for consolidation of £354bn council pension funds 11/11/2024 Rachel Reeves is set to announce plans to encourage consolidation among local government pension funds to reduce costs and boost infrastructure investment.
Thurrock threat to sue other councils after financial collapse 07/11/2024 Thurrock Council has threatened to sue other councils as it legally goes after the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) over advice it gave.
Leaders meet to discuss housebuilding partnerships 06/11/2024 Local authority leaders met in London on Monday with the aim of creating new partnerships to help meet the Government's aim of delivering 1.5 million homes.
Budget: Chancellor targets local growth with transport spend 30/10/2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced extra transport cash for regional mayors, but departmental spending remains tight.
Budget: Reorganisation confirmed in high tax, high spend Budget 30/10/2024 Local government reorganisation – and the efficiency savings it will make – were confirmed in Budget documents today.
Bradford leadership survives vote amid £50m venue criticism 16/10/2024 The leadership of Bradford Council has survived a vote of no confidence amid criticism over its handling of the £50.5m publicly funded venue, Bradford Live.
Sky to appeal film studio planning refusal 14/10/2024 Broadcaster Sky is planning to appeal Hertsmere Borough Council's decision to refuse planning permission for an expansion of Sky Studios Elstree.
Bus operator announces £500m electric bus deal 08/10/2024 Bus operator Go Ahead has announced a major £500m investment to deliver more than 1,000 UK-made electric buses.
Council pension funds criticise listing rule reforms 07/10/2024 An alliance of council pension schemes has criticised the London Stock Exchange (LSE) over proposed changes to Financial Conduct Authority listing rules.
Marginalised youths to benefit from £1m unemployment grant 26/09/2024 Young people with Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in Walsall are set to benefit from a £1m grant to help tackle youth unemployment in the region.
Blyth to be site of biggest AI data centre in Europe 26/09/2024 A £10bn investment aimed at delivering the biggest AI data centre in Europe could create thousands of jobs for the local community in Blyth, PM says.
Labour pledges £15m to support 300 new nurseries 26/09/2024 Three hundred nurseries will be opened by next September to help address the rising demand for childcare, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announces.
Welsh council chiefs call for end to social care ‘quick fixes’ 24/09/2024 Local authority leaders in Wales have called on the Welsh Government to invest more in social care to ease the pressure on the NHS this winter.
South Yorkshire mayor welcomes £1.5bn nuclear factory decision 20/09/2024 The mayor of South Yorkshire has welcomed the news that South Yorkshire is set to become the new home of a planned £1.5bn Small Modular Reactor (SMR) factory.
Council leaders call for sexual health investment 19/09/2024 Local authority leaders have urged the Government to use the upcoming Autumn Budget to invest in sexual and reproductive health services.
Man United joins regeneration drive 10/09/2024 Manchester United has joined forces with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to maximise regeneration opportunities.
Scottish Government asks councils to divert funds to cover pay deal 28/08/2024 The Scottish Government has asked councils to divert funds from a Nature Restoration Fund to help them meet the revised local authority pay deal.
Leader calls for inquiry into Thurrock’s finances 19/08/2024 Thurrock Council’s leader has reportedly called for an inquiry into the authority’s investment decisions after a businessman was accused of misusing £150m of council funds.
Council accuses tycoon of misusing £150m of its investment 16/08/2024 Thurrock Council has launched a High Court lawsuit accusing Liam Kavanagh of misusing around £150m of investment funds to pay for his ‘lavish lifestyle’.
Council leaders call for a voice on Cobra 12/08/2024 Local government representation on Cobra, the committee for dealing with national emergencies, is essential, council leaders say after last week’s riots.
Call for Reeves to remove barriers to pension investment 09/08/2024 The chancellor has been urged to make a ‘concerted effort' to break down barriers to investment so the local government pension scheme can boost growth.
Warrington must be 'more realistic' about finances 06/08/2024 Warrington Council urgently needs to get to grips with its complex and risky financial situation, the Local Government Association has said.
LGPS reform could unlock £40bn of infrastructure investment 24/07/2024 Reform of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) could unlock £40bn of investment for infrastructure, an insurance company has estimated.
Liverpool City Council to receive £55m regeneration boost 15/07/2024 Liverpool City Council is set to receive a £55m boost from Homes England to accelerate the regeneration of the city’s historic northern docklands.
Extinction Rebellion activists scale council office 10/07/2024 Campaigners climbed onto the roof of East Sussex County Hall yesterday to demand the authority stops investing its pension fund in fossil fuels.
Pro-growth planning could deliver 407,000 jobs 10/07/2024 A pro-growth planning environment could deliver 407,000 jobs and 55.7 million square feet of commercial floorspace in central London by 2045, study says.
Rising Trends: Local authority pension fund investment 02/07/2024 Jessica Bowles, director of strategic partnerships and impact at Bruntwood SciTech, discusses the rising trend of council pension fund investment in property.
Ashfield DC agrees land purchase in £14m regeneration scheme 02/07/2024 Ashfield District Council has agreed to purchase land in Kirkby-in-Ashfield as part of the £14m North Kirkby Gateway scheme.
North Yorkshire Council to invest £11.6m in temporary accommodation 20/06/2024 North Yorkshire Council is set to build 90 new temporary accommodation units at a cost of £11.6m.
West Midlands Investment Zone gets the green light 17/06/2024 A plan for a West Midlands Investment Zone designed to attract more than £5.5m in investment and to create over 30,000 new jobs has been given the go ahead.
Newcastle council borrows £8m for shopping centre revamp 11/06/2024 Newcastle City Council has borrowed £8m to invest in a major shopping centre redevelopment.
Council borrows to spend £10m more on roads 11/06/2024 West Northamptonshire Council plans to borrow up to £10m to spend on schemes aimed at improving roads across the district.
Pension funds told to report annually on pooling progress 17/05/2024 Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds should report annually on progress against pooling and private equity investments, fresh guidance has said.
To invest or divest? Local authorities face difficult choices 15/05/2024 Stephen Edgar, director of Property Consultancy at Lexica, discusses what councils have to consider when it comes to managing their property portfolio.
Devon CC to invest £12m in pothole and drainage works 13/05/2024 A new multi-million-pound investment in repairing potholes and boosting road drainage has been agreed by Devon council members.
Watchdog should investigate Teesworks freeport, MPs say 26/04/2024 MPs have recommended that the National Audit Office (NAO) should investigate the finances of the controversial Teesworks regeneration project.
Avatar director James Cameron backs studio plans 24/04/2024 Oscar winning film director James Cameron has thrown his weight behind proposals for a new film studio in west of London.
Council considers £110m offer for former EV battery factory site 16/04/2024 Northumberland CC is set to consider a multi-million-pound deal that could see a site earmarked for a collapsed electric vehicle battery factory sold.
Council to announce chief after capacity criticism 15/04/2024 East Devon DC is hoping to announce its new chief executive early next month after peers said senior level capacity was currently ‘limited’.
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games boosted economy by £1.2bn 08/04/2024 The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed approximately £1.2bn to the UK economy, according to an evaluation of the impact of the event.
Stoke councillors approve £5.4m transport plan 04/04/2024 A plan to invest more than £5.4m on improving roads and transport in Stoke-on-Trent has received a green light.
Museums and libraries receive £33m cash injection 26/03/2024 Nearly 70 museums and libraries across England are to receive £33m in the latest round of the Government's Cultural Investment Fund.
VolkerFitzpatrick wins £38m Kent viaduct project 26/03/2024 Kent County Council has appointed VolkerFitzpatrick to design and build a highway crossing over a rail line and river near Canterbury.
Doncaster council airship deal set to create 1,200 jobs 26/03/2024 Doncaster council has announced the location for the production facility of the helium-filled airship, Airlander 10, in a deal set to create 1,200 jobs.
Apple to pay £385m for council pension fund loses 18/03/2024 A group action lawsuit led by Norfolk County Council has forced the tech giant Apple to payout £385m in compensation for pension fund loses.
Coventry to consider £35m for Gigapark investment zone 06/03/2024 Coventry City Council’s cabinet will discuss whether to accept up to £35m of government funding to develop a battery gigafactory as part a new investment zone.
Budget: Over £240m for Canary Wharf housing announced 06/03/2024 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today announced £242m to deliver thousands of houses in Barking Riverside and Canary Wharf.
Less than 20% of levelling up projects completed 04/03/2024 Fewer than a fifth of projects backed by the Government's £3.6bn Towns Fund were on track to be completed by the end of February, FOI requests have revealed.
Council leader welcomes £4bn EV battery factory 29/02/2024 Somerset Council has welcomed the confirmation that Bridgwater in Somerset will be the location of a new £4bn electric vehicle (EV) battery factory.
Medway backs £42m temporary accommodation investment 27/02/2024 Medway councillors have green lighted plans to invest £42m in new properties to help ease the council’s temporary housing pressures.
Social housing investment could boost economy by over £50bn 26/02/2024 Much more investment in the construction of social housing could boost the economy by a dramatic £51.2bn, according to a new analysis.
Teesworks inquiry finds no evidence of ‘corruption’ 30/01/2024 An inquiry into accusations of corruption relating to the Teesworks scheme has found no evidence of ‘illegality’ but ‘transparency’ concerns remain.
£2.9bn private investment in freeports, says Gove 10/01/2024 Michael Gove has said new freeports have attracted £2.9bn of investment and created 6,000 jobs since they were established in 2022.
Social care career reforms ‘only scratch the surface’ 10/01/2024 The Government today announced new measures to improve the career prospects of social care staff but concerns remain that this ‘may only scratch the surface’.
Nine million adults lack essential skills 03/01/2024 Nine million adults lack essential skills with skill level disparities within local areas far exceeding those between local and combined authorities.
Blackpool Council welcomes new £65m campus plan 29/11/2023 A plan for a multi-million-pound campus in Blackpool has been submitted, in what the council has described as a ‘game changing’ addition to the town centre.
Getting the most out of LGPS funds 27/11/2023 Isio partner and Public Services leader Steve Simkins reflects on the Autumn Statement announcement of a surprise Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) target.
Autumn Statement: East of England ‘bottom of pile’ for funding 23/11/2023 The East of England has received the smallest share of funding in round three of the Levelling Up Fund, according to local authority leaders from the region.
Autumn Statement: West Midlands investment zone confirmed 23/11/2023 An investment zone is set to be established in the West Midlands focusing on three sites in Warwickshire, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, Chancellor confirms.
Autumn Statement: Level 4 devolution unveiled 22/11/2023 More powers will be offered to areas with a level 3 devolution deal, the Government has announced as part of the Autumn Statement.
West Yorkshire to host £220m investment zone 21/11/2023 A new investment zone has been announced for West Yorkshire focused on life sciences.
Investment in local care services could save £2.5bn 20/11/2023 Investment in home-based care, community and reablement services would help free up more hospital beds and improve care for the elderly, council leaders say.
London council launches green investment scheme 17/11/2023 Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council is inviting residents and businesses to invest in green projects across the borough.
West Yorkshire mayor unveils plan for 40,000 homes 16/11/2023 West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has unveiled plans to boost the number of houses in the region and to improve the quality of the area’s housing stock.
Nine on 'flexible' Barnet highways framework 08/11/2023 Barnet Council has appointed nine contractors to a new four-year highway maintenance framework worth around £75m.
Costain named strategic partner on Bradford's £250m investment plan 30/10/2023 Costain has been reappointed as Bradford Council’s strategic delivery partner, in a contract worth up to £5m with an initial run of two years.
Turning pensions into fossil fuel playthings 23/10/2023 Robert Noyes, Platform London, argues that if councils are serious about net zero, then local government pension funds must divest from fossil fuels.
Over £12bn of council pensions invested in fossil fuel 23/10/2023 Over £12bn of local government pensions are invested in the fossil fuel industry, environmental campaigners have revealed.
Commission calls for £30bn public infrastructure investment 18/10/2023 Government should invest £30bn a year into public infrastructure to level up struggling areas and tackle climate change, says infrastructure commission.
Government spends more maintaining Houses of Parliament than housing 04/10/2023 Government spends more maintaining the Houses of Parliament than on improvements to England’s 20 million rented and owner-occupied homes, new report reveals.
Affordable housing investment could save £1.5bn a year 04/10/2023 Investing much more in social and affordable housing could save the Government an estimated £1.5bn a year, researchers at University College London estimate.
Government pledges £60m innovation investment 04/10/2023 The Government has pledged to invest £60m into an innovation fund to support universities in areas with lower levels of research and development investment.
Council pension funds call for climate vote 03/10/2023 Local authority pension fund managers have urged FTSE companies to give shareholders more of a say on plans to reach net zero.
Unions call for £4bn investment in school estate 26/09/2023 In response to the RAAC crisis, trade unions have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to invest £4.4bn per year to improve the school estate.
Level up seaside towns or lose power, Conservatives told 19/09/2023 The Conservative Government must level up England’s struggling coastal communities or risk losing 113 seaside seats to Labour, a conservative think tank warns.
£600m boost for Oxford and Swindon Mini factories 12/09/2023 The BMW Group will invest more than £600m in its Mini plants in Oxford and Swindon as its electric production gains pace.
Mayors call for Northern ‘New Deal’ 11/09/2023 Mayors and business leaders are set to urge the main political parties to put the North of England at the heart of their 2024 general election manifestos.
Combined authority approves £10m Leeds housing investment 08/09/2023 Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have approved proposals to invest more than £10m in delivering over 800 new homes in Leeds.