Legislation | LocalGov


Social workers back smacking ban 30/04/2025 Social workers and other safeguarding professionals have called for an end to the physical punishment of children in England.
RAC fears private parking firms are escaping scrutiny 25/04/2025 Private firms that run local car parks are set to issue a record 14.5 million tickets to drivers this year.
Slicing districts could slow reorganisation for fast-track areas 14/02/2025 Cutting across district boundaries to make new unitaries could create a backlog of legislation and boundary reviews that stymies the Government’s reorganisation timetable.
Deposit Return Scheme legislation comes into force 27/01/2025 Legislation for a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland has come into force today.
Schools Bill criticised by commissioner 27/01/2025 The children's commissioner has criticised Labour's schools Bill, arguing it does not include details on how councils would cope with the extra responsibilities.
Scotland scraps core element of National Care Service 24/01/2025 The Scottish Government has scrapped plans to deliver structural social care reform through a National Care Service.
LGA overhaul mooted after 'big conversation' 12/12/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) could be overhauled as part of efforts to increase its influence, The MJ understands.
Councils urged to use new law to drive social prosperity 11/10/2024 Local authorities should make use of new procurement laws to promote community prosperity, a think-tank has argued.
Time to axe ‘contradictory’ care laws, minister says 07/10/2024 It is ‘high time’ to axe outdated language and contradictory rules from laws on disabled children’s social care, the families minster has said.
Graves could be reused as burial space runs out 03/10/2024 Old graves could be reused under new proposals to address the shortage of burial space in England and Wales.
Welsh editors in warning over council tax notice law 11/06/2024 Editors in Wales have issued a warning over the Welsh Government’s plans to stop council tax notices being published in local newspapers.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA starts to shift on standards 04/06/2024 Senior Local Government Association (LGA) figures expect the organisation’s reluctance to beefing up the standards regime to shift after the General Election.
Mandatory reporting exemptions a 'fudge' 13/05/2024 Ministers’ decision to exempt instances of child abuse from a new reporting law means they have dodged the mandatory duty demanded by a national inquiry.
Council apologises over FOI delays 23/04/2024 Walsall Council has apologised for delays to its response under the Freedom of Information Act.
Clark: Tories and Labour unwilling to address SEND crisis 15/04/2024 Labour and the Conservatives have been accused of an ‘unwillingness’ to confront the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services.
Five million could be disenfranchised by voter ID, polling finds 11/04/2024 Five million voters could be disenfranchised by the Government’s new voter ID rules at the General Election, first-of-its-kind polling has suggested.
Proposed law could ease housing emergencies 27/03/2024 Scottish councils may be required to assess the condition of private rented accommodation under a proposed law.
Council leaders welcome anti-smoking Bill 20/03/2024 Local authority leaders have welcomed the prospect of new powers to discourage smoking.
LGA warning over XL Bully dogs ban 19/03/2024 Councils face a double whammy of soaring costs and declining police support as they try to enforce a ban on XL Bully dogs.
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant' 14/03/2024 South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities 28/02/2024 Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
Officer warning over street votes 06/02/2024 Council officers have issued a scathing response to plans for street-level planning votes – dismissing the idea as a costly ‘proliferation of polls’.
Housing minister among casualties of Sunak reshuffle 13/11/2023 The UK will have its 16th housing minister in 12 years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s sweeping reshuffle affected the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Government urged to push through ‘no fault’ evictions ban 09/11/2023 The chair of the levelling up, housing and communities (LUHC) committee has urged the Government to commit to a timetable for abolishing section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
Labour regeneration plans will fail 'without radical action' 31/10/2023 An incoming Labour government’s regeneration plans will fail without radical action to devolve financial decision-making, researchers have warned.
London council calls for power to impose overnight levy 20/09/2023 Westminster City Council has called on the Government to enable local authorities to tax tourists on stays.
Union vows to oppose controversial crackdown 12/09/2023 Local government’s largest trade union has warned any attempt to impose a controversial crackdown will be met with strong opposition.
Gove to ease nutrient neutrality requirements 29/08/2023 Ministers have announced they will ease divisive development rules on water pollution blamed for low housebuilding rates in rural areas.
Boycott Bill faces Scottish opposition 16/08/2023 The UK Government’s planned ban on council boycotts is facing opposition from Holyrood.
Nutrient neutrality row goes to No10 24/07/2023 Council leaders have used a Downing Street summit to urge No10 to break the deadlock in a dispute over nutrient neutrality.
Exploitation warning after Illegal Migration Bill becomes law 20/07/2023 Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) could be in danger of being exploited after the Illegal Migration Act created an incentive for them to run away.
First asylum barge arrives 18/07/2023 A controversial barge for 500 asylum seekers today arrived at its mooring off the Dorset coast.
Calls for supported housing improvements 09/05/2023 MPs and Whitehall’s spending watchdog have demanded improved regulation and data on supported housing amid evidence the system is blighted by rogue landlords.
Welsh Government to detail council tax reform later this year 03/05/2023 The Welsh Government has revealed it will announce details of its council tax reforms later this year.
Peers' warning over supported housing reforms 24/04/2023 Ministers must avoid forcing high-quality supported housing providers from the market in their rush to tackle rogue landlords, peers have warned.
Eastleigh finance review to start 07/02/2023 The Government has commissioned a review of Eastleigh BC’s finances to start this week after concerns over its debt levels.
'Fierce resistance' to threatened strike clampdown 06/09/2022 Any attempt by new Prime Minister Liz Truss to outlaw strikes will be met with ‘fierce resistance,’ trade union Unite has warned.
Nottingham escapes commissioners threat 02/09/2022 Ministers have held back from appointing commissioners at Nottingham City Council, instead deciding to strengthen the powers of its improvement and assurance board.
Peers highlight lack of progress improving 'flawed' Act 11/07/2022 Little progress has been made in addressing the lack of coordination between the licensing and planning systems, a House of Lords committee has reported.
New anti-Putin powers given to councils 26/05/2022 Councils have been handed powers to terminate commercial relationships with firms that have ‘strong links’ to Vladimir Putin’s ‘murderous regime’.
EXCLUSIVE: Government 'risks battle' on moving districts' functions without consent 17/05/2022 Districts will push to change the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure their functions cannot move to new combined county authorities (CCAs) without their consent, The MJ understands.
Queen's Speech: Government plans to boost tenants rights 10/05/2022 Two separate housing bills in the Queen’s Speech set out the Government plans to tackle tenants rights improve the private rented sector.
Queen's speech: Government brings back measures to stop protestors 'locking on' 10/05/2022 Boris Johnson’s government will bring back measures thrown out by the House of Lords in January to stop protesters ‘locking on’ to infrastructure.
Queen's Speech: Levelling up bill unveiled for planning reform 10/05/2022 The Queen’s Speech has confirmed a levelling up Bill will include legislation on planning and regeneration reform.
Queen's Speech: Plans unveiled to 'drive growth' 10/05/2022 The Government has unveiled a Queen’s Speech to boost the economy in a bid to fight the cost of living crisis.
New Bill to put beauty at the heart of planning, says Gove 08/05/2022 The Queen’s Speech is set to include a new bill to revamp planning and kick start housebuilding, levelling up secretary Michael Gove has revealed.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall risk warning over election reforms 29/04/2022 Whitehall officials have privately admitted councils could be overwhelmed by one of the largest sets of electoral reforms ever seen by local authorities, The MJ understands.
Shapps confirms e-scooter legalisation in Queen’s Speech 28/04/2022 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed he will make an announcement about the legalisation surrounding e-scooters in next month’s Queen’s Speech.
UK comes under pressure to adopt rights charter 26/04/2022 Local leaders will continue to be ‘heavily constrained’ until the UK follows through on its promise to guarantee the rights of local government in law, a sector expert has warned.
Consultation on replacing Vagrancy Act is launched 08/04/2022 The Government has launched a consultation on replacing an 'outdated' law that criminalises homeless people.
Law criminalising homeless people to be scrapped 23/02/2022 The Government has announced it will be repealing the 1824 Vagrancy Act that criminalises rough sleeping and begging in England and Wales.
Government urged to allow remote council meetings 10/12/2021 Council leaders have urged the government to rethink the rules to allow remote council meetings.
Leaked White Paper reveals reorganisation master plan 09/12/2021 A leaked version of the Levelling Up White Paper has revealed plans to scrap two-tier local government in England.
Support for air quality enforcement 05/11/2021 Bruce Allen says councils need more knowledge and support to enforce the ban on selling and using wet wood and house coal for burning at home.
Commission calls for funding re-set for local government 20/07/2021 Local government needs a ‘funding floor’, set at an agreed percentage of national income, a report on the future of the sector has said.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution 07/07/2021 Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
Councils 'broadly support' focus of Health and Care Bill 06/07/2021 Councils ‘broadly support’ the focus of the Health and Care Bill introduced into Parliament on improving the health and wellbeing of the population, says the Local Government Association (LGA).
Special needs deficits to grow to £1.3bn in two years 30/06/2021 A ‘spiralling deficit’ in special educational needs services (SEN) is expected to grow to an ‘unmanageable’ £1.3bn in just two years’ time, county councils have warned.
Councils can issue traffic fines from December 15/06/2021 Powers to enforce moving traffic offences will not be extended to local authorities in England outside London until the end of the year, a Department for Transport (DfT) minister has said.
Queen's Speech: No social care solution in sight 11/05/2021 The Queen’s Speech has said proposals on social care reform will be brought forward – but it fell short of a commitment to legislation in this Parliament.
Queen's Speech: Controversial voter ID plans roll forward 11/05/2021 Voter ID is expected to be introduced by May 2023 after the Government pledged to introduce legislation to ‘ensure the integrity of elections’.
Queen's speech: PM's 'live local and prosper' promise 09/05/2021 Levelling up, boosting the economy and backing the NHS are set to be the priorities for Tuesday’s Queen’s speech.
New legislation extends proxy voting in local elections 24/02/2021 The Government has introduced new measures to ensure people needing to self-isolate will still be allowed to vote in the upcoming local elections.
Proportional votes to come to Wales 19/11/2020 Proportional voting will be introduced to Welsh council elections for the first time as the franchise is extended to 16- and 17-year olds and foreigners.
Councils gain COVID enforcement powers 23/10/2020 Councils are to be given new powers to issue businesses with improvement notices and close premises if they breach coronavirus restrictions.
Public sector exit cap signed into law 15/10/2020 The £95,000 cap on public sector exit payments was signed into law last night and will come into force on November 4.
ADASS issues stark warning as White Paper faces further delays 17/09/2020 The social care system risks complete breakdown experts have warned as it emerged that the long-awaited White Paper has been delayed again until next year.
Remote local authority meetings 08/06/2020 Tiffany Cloynes and Clare Hardy outline the challenges and opportunities presented by conducting remote meetings in local government.
Local lockdown powers up in the air 27/05/2020 Council powers over calling a local lockdown are still to be thrashed out as the NHS’ test and trace system is formally launched.
MPs tell department to 'get a grip' on SEND 05/05/2020 The Department for Education (DfE) does not have a grip on mounting pressure in the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system, a watchdog has found.
Care providers in law change call 01/04/2020 Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Charity says it ‘defies belief’ that renters evicted during a pandemic 24/03/2020 Shelter has warned that legislation to suspend new eviction cases during the coronavirus pandemic does not go far enough as 20,000 evictions set to go ahead.
Environment Bill to give councils ‘clear framework’ to tackle pollution 30/01/2020 Local authorities will have a clear framework for tackling air pollution with the introduction of the Environment Bill, according to the Government.
Councils sent back to drawing board on SEND 28/01/2020 Councils have been sent back to the drawing board after a quango ripped apart their plans to recover massive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits.
Northants reorganisation stalled amid election 08/11/2019 Plans to reorganise cash-strapped Northamptonshire County Council have stalled amid the general election.
Queen's Speech 19: Brexit, health and devo at the heart of Government plans 14/10/2019 Brexit, the NHS and devolution are at the heart of the next round of Government legislation as outlined in the first Queen’s Speech today.
Plans for voter ID bill branded 'dangerous and undemocratic' 13/10/2019 Plans to introduce voter ID across the whole country have been branded ‘dangerous, misguided and undemocratic’ by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS).
Named person scheme dropped 20/09/2019 A mandatory named person scheme for every child in Scotland – underpinned by law – will not now happen, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced.
Calls to scrap ‘draconian’ Vagrancy Act 19/06/2019 A new report has argued the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which makes rough sleeping and begging illegal in England and Wales, is ‘inhumane’ and should be scrapped.
Sunak brings forward revaluation of business rates 13/06/2019 Business rates will reflect property values more accurately after a shake-up being introduced in new legislation.
Security fears after candidate addresses published 02/05/2019 Security concerns have been raised after a loophole forced councils to publish the home addresses of candidates standing in the EU elections.
Unfair evictions to be banned under new proposals 15/04/2019 The Government has outlined plans to abolish short notice and unfair evictions for private renters in England.
Labour promises to repeal nineteenth-century Vagrancy Act 24/12/2018 The Labour Party has announced that they plan to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 which criminalises begging and rough sleeping.
A missed opportunity? 12/10/2018 The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill should soften financial and operational pressure on local authorities, but it will still leave them open to legal exposure, argues Morris Hill.
Christchurch reorganisation challenge defeated 07/08/2018 Christchurch BC may launch an appeal after a High Court judge today refused its challenge to local government reorganisation plans.
Councils should not pick up costs of reversing ‘staircase tax’ warn MPs 18/04/2018 Councils should not be financially worse off if the Government decides to reverse the controversial ‘staircase tax’, MPs have warned today.
Amendment to protect free bus passes announced 10/04/2018 The Government has announced a change in legislation that will ensure free bus passes for older and disabled people will be protected for the future.
IFS implores action over growing social care funding chasm 20/03/2018 The Government will need to scrap its funding reforms, significantly boost top-ups or centralise care if it is to plug the social care funding gap, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned today.
Mandatory reporting calls rejected by Government 05/03/2018 Ministers today rejected calls for the mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse – claiming an effective case for a new law has not been made.
Council chiefs support ‘common sense’ reform to noise pollution law 10/01/2018 Council leaders have thrown their support behind a campaign which will see a person or business responsible for a change in noise conditions being held responsible for managing that change.
Inspectors sent in to probe Northamptonshire Council's finances 09/01/2018 Local government secretary Sajid Javid has ordered a best value inspection of Conservative-led Northamptonshire CC amid continuing concerns over its financial management and corporate governance.
Councils win high-value home reprieve 20/12/2017 Local authorities will not be forced to sell high-value council homes until at least April 2019 after lobbying from the sector.
Preventing progress 19/09/2017 Ashley Bijster argues that outdated legislation has become a barrier to smarter urban living.
Councils urged to act on nuisance hedges 11/09/2017 Councils in Scotland are not always using legislation to tackle overgrown hedges effectively, an investigation by MSPs has revealed.
Northern Ireland council leaders call for local government reform 18/08/2017 Council leaders in Northern Ireland have called for an ‘urgent’ review of legislation required to complete local government reform.
Councils to be banned from adding credit card fees 19/07/2017 Councils will no longer be allowed to charge extra for people making credit or debit card payments, under new rules unveiled today.
A legal duty to prevent homelessness 18/07/2017 Neil Merrick explores the impact and financial burdens the new Homelessness Reduction Act will have on local authorities.
Think tank calls for ‘overhaul’ of local democracy in Scotland 18/04/2017 A think tank has published a ‘blueprint’ for a complete overhaul of local governance in Scotland via the introduction of primary legislation.
Campaigners seek judicial review of Government’s ‘extreme surveillance regime’ 10/01/2017 Civil liberties campaigners are launching a legal challenge against the ‘extreme mass surveillance powers’ in the Government’s new Investigatory Powers Act.
Over 200 London families to relocate to Canterbury 25/05/2016 The law should be changed to restrict councils from re-housing large numbers of people outside their own districts, the leader of Canterbury City Council has said.