Politics

• Government launches scheme to ‘boost’ political participation among pupils

  The Government has launched a programme aimed at teaching young people about politics and promoting participation in the political system.

  

• Northampton unitary plan falls

  The tight timeframe for reorganising local government across Northamptonshire claimed its first victim this week despite ministers’ decision to extend the consultation period.

  

• Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners

  New local government secretary James Brokenshire has today announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.

  

• Brokenshire promises a 'hands on approach' to local government

  New secretary of state James Brokenshire has declared himself to be ‘a real fan of local government’ and vowed to take a ‘hands on’ approach to his relationship with the sector.

  

• Labour outlines housing policy

  Labour would scrap right to buy, and give councils new borrowing freedoms and central funding in a bid to kick-start house building, the party said today.

  

• Scrap 'outdated and regressive council tax, says think tank

  Council tax is ‘outdated and regressive’, and the Government should consider scrapping it in favour of a fairer system, according to a think tank.

  

• Robin Wales ousted as Newham Mayor

  Sir Robin Wales has been deselected as the Mayoral candidate for Newham LBC.

  

• Whitehall's local government finance cover-up is exposed

  Key Whitehall departments involved in attempt to bury changes to provisional finance settlement data.

  

• Labour accuses Government of 'holding back' local government

  Labour MPs have urged ministers to provide ‘strategic vision’ for local government.

  

• Councillors to kick-start joint plans with London mayor

  More than 100 council leaders and councillors from the south-east and east of England will today meet London mayor Sadiq Khan to kick-start joint plans.