Whitehall | LocalGov


Local plans ‘overhaul’ announced 28/02/2025 The Government has announced an ‘overhaul’ of the local plan process in a bid to speed up development.
New funding for local government to tackle digital exclusion 26/02/2025 The Government has announced that new funding will be available to help local and combined authorities to tackle digital exclusion.
Call for ministers to step in over Birmingham strikes 20/02/2025 Britain’s largest union has called on ministers to intervene amid ongoing industrial action by refuse workers in Birmingham.
Government announces 10-year study on youth vaping 19/02/2025 A £62m research project will provide ‘the most detailed picture yet’ of the the long-term health effects of vaping on children, ministers have announced.
Hollinrake: Leaders to blame for s114 notices 19/02/2025 Conservative local government spokesperson Kevin Hollinrake has said council leaders are primarily responsible for their authorities having to issue section 114 notices.
Labour awards half of Tories’ ‘unfunded’ culture cash 17/02/2025 Ministers have announced today that £50m will be awarded to a string of culture projects – about half the level of funding promised by the Tories.
Rutland residents to have say on reorganisation 14/02/2025 Rutland County Council has agreed to engage with residents on reorganisation plans before a proposal is submitted to the Government.
Call for reorganisation support 14/02/2025 A senior sector figure has called for the Local Government Association (LGA) and Whitehall to offer education and training to those about to go through reorganisation.
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.
Rough sleeping ‘a source of national shame’, MPs say 13/02/2025 The rising number of people sleeping rough in England is a source of national shame, ministers have been told.
Home Office spent almost £100m on failed asylum sites 05/02/2025 A ‘dysfunctional’ culture at the Home Office meant key controls were abandoned in the procurement of failed asylum sites that cost almost £100m, according to a scathing new report.
Government failing to tackle violence against women and girls 31/01/2025 A damning new report has concluded that government efforts have failed to improve outcomes for victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
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.
Government urged to ‘empower’ councils as digital plans unveiled 21/01/2025 Council bosses have urged the Government to ‘empower’ local authorities after it set out new plans to overhaul digital technology and AI usage in public services.
Plans for UK’s first coastal ‘tourist tax’ halted 21/01/2025 Plans to introduce a levy on hotel stays in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been halted after the Government declared the result of a ballot void.
PAC brands local roads a ‘national embarrassment’ 16/01/2025 MPs have called England’s local roads a ‘national embarrassment’ and slammed the Department for Transport (DfT) for not taking its responsibility for the issue seriously enough.
Fifteen county areas bid to fast-track devolution and reorganisation 10/01/2025 Fifteen county areas are bidding to be on Labour's fast-track for new devolution deals and local government reorganisation (LGR) with all applying to postpone May elections to make this possible.
Voters ‘set to be deprived of local democracy’ 10/01/2025 The District Councils’ Network has warned that millions of voters will be ‘deprived of their local democracy’ due to plans to postpone some county council elections.
Social care reform requires 'political courage' 09/01/2025 The Government's three-year timetable for reforming social care has been labelled ‘completely unnecessary' by Sir Andrew Dilnot.
Phillipson open to Government funding local grooming inquiries 08/01/2025 Ministers have promised the Government will ‘take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe' when asked if Whitehall would fund local inquiries into grooming gangs.
Elections in limbo as devo deadline looms 06/01/2025 County councils across England will decide this week whether to ask the Government to postpone this year's elections in order to reorganise and pursue devolution.
Councils to be 'accountable' for care improvements as commission launched 03/01/2025 The Government intends to hold councils ‘accountable' for improving care in their areas as part of its social care reforms.
Cuts warnings after finance settlement announced 19/12/2024 The bodies representing district and county councils have warned that services will be cut next year after the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement was published yesterday.
Council delays name change 13/12/2024 Tewkesbury Borough Council has pushed back changing its name amid delays to the Government’s devolution white paper.
Mandatory housebuilding targets confirmed 12/12/2024 English councils must deliver on an ‘ambitious’ combined target of 370,000 new homes a year, the Government has confirmed.
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.
State will operate 'more like a start-up' 10/12/2024 The launch of a £100m fund to pioneer public sector reform and deliver the Government's Plan for Change will see the state operate ‘more like a start-up', a minister has pledged.
Government to create first ever men’s health strategy 28/11/2024 The Government has committed to creating the first strategy for men’s health – something council bosses have been calling for.
Council urges Government to drop farm tax plans 27/11/2024 Cornwall Council has agreed to call on the Government to reconsider its changes to inheritance tax rules.
Budget: Cash bonanza not expected for councils 30/10/2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to plough cash into public services in today's Budget – but struggling councils are not expecting a cash bonanza to come their way.
More than £2.5bn for communities ‘stuck in limbo’ 28/10/2024 More than £2.5bn in funding agreed by the previous government for local growth is stuck in limbo, a think-tank has found.
Councils call for full waste service costs under EPR 23/10/2024 Council bosses have urged the Government to ensure local authorities receive the full costs for delivering waste and recycling services under new packaging reforms.
Rayner to be handed £1bn for council housing in Budget, reports suggest 21/10/2024 Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner will be handed £1bn in next week's Budget as she plans to double council house building, national newspapers have reported.
Streeting promises 10-Year Plan for social care 21/10/2024 Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has promised a 10-Year Plan for social care that will run alongside the 10-Year Plan for the NHS.
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.
Charities call for £1bn to prevent homelessness surge 10/10/2024 Almost £1bn of funding is due to leave the homelessness sector in April, leaving services facing a funding cliff-edge, a group of charities has warned.
Housing targets ‘weaken local decision making’, LGA warns 03/10/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised concerns that mandatory housebuilding targets for councils centralise policy and weaken local decision making.
Councils raise concerns over early prisoner release 18/09/2024 Local authorities in some of the most deprived areas have raised concerns about the Government's freeing of hundreds of inmates early.
Waiting continues for multi-year settlement despite 'collapse' warnings 12/09/2024 Local government expects another one-year finance settlement despite warnings that failing to address an estimated £4bn black hole could ‘collapse' the sector.
No-fault evictions ban returns to Commons 11/09/2024 A ban on landlords evicting tenants without a valid reason is among the ‘landmark’ renting reforms to be introduced to Parliament today.
Council slams ‘disgraceful’ plans to cut Winter Fuel Payment 09/09/2024 The London Borough of Bexley has criticised the Government’s ‘disgraceful’ plans to stop providing the Winter Fuel Payment to millions of pensioners.
Wirral set to spend extra £1m on struggling SEND 05/09/2024 Wirral Council will consider spending an extra £1.1m on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision after it was ordered by the Government to improve.
Haigh: Councils should decide on traffic measures 22/08/2024 The transport secretary has pledged to back councils that implement low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and 20mph limits, with the new government ‘absolutely determined’ to end the Tories’ ‘culture wars’ approach to transport.
Cheshire devolution talks gain pace 19/08/2024 A partnership of three Cheshire councils is said to have emerged as an ‘early candidate’ for accelerated talks on devolution with the new Government.
Flood management funding ‘not working’ 15/08/2024 The Government’s failure to devise a fair funding system for flood defences means wider service cuts for at-risk communities, council bosses have warned.
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.
DCN calls for more powers to hit housing targets 08/08/2024 Councils need more powers and funding to address empty and stalled sites if ministers are to achieve their housing aims, the District Councils' Network (DCN) has said.
Labour reaffirms commitment to National Care Service 07/08/2024 Care minister Stephen Kinnock has reaffirmed Labour's commitment to a National Care Service.
South East leaders vent fury over mandatory housing targets 06/08/2024 Leaders of five shire councils in the South East have criticised the Government's move to reintroduce mandatory housing targets.
Newham raises alarm over ‘spiralling’ homelessness costs 06/08/2024 Newham Council has warned it may need government assistance due to the ‘spiralling’ costs of supporting homeless people.
Local government faces 2.4% spending cuts 22/07/2024 Local government could face annual spending cuts averaging 2.4% by 2029, with services set to deteriorate as a result, a new report has warned.
Minister voices concern over districts' role in devolution 22/07/2024 District councils should be handed a greater role in devolution talks, a minister has said.
'Too costly to answer our own questions' 18/07/2024 Whitehall has claimed it would be too costly to answer the same questions councils have been asked ahead of tomorrow’s productivity plans deadline.
Call for ‘Right to Pause’ on Right to Buy 15/07/2024 Councils have called for the power to pause the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme when they are facing significant housing pressure.
Lone asylum-seeking child arrivals to Kent up 87% 15/07/2024 The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children arriving in the UK along Kent’s shoreline has risen by 87%.
New MP to resign as council leader 10/07/2024 Newly elected MP Vikki Slade will stand down as leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
East Sussex could face £55m funding gap 10/07/2024 East Sussex County Council is already warning it could be left with a £55m deficit in its budget next year.
Poll reveals support for tax increases to boost public services 01/07/2024 More than half of UK households support investment in public services even if it means they are taxed more, according to new analysis.
Housing directors association being explored by LGA 25/06/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) is exploring the creation of an association of housing directors.
NextGov: Devolutionary road 24/06/2024 Jonathan Werran, the chief executive of think-tank Localis, discusses what the next government should do to extend devolution.
Service cuts likely, think-tank warns 21/06/2024 Councils could be forced to cut back service provision if cost and demand pressures continue to grow, researchers have warned.
Labour plan to reduce delayed discharges 20/06/2024 Labour is reportedly planning to buy thousands of beds in care homes in an effort to reduce the problem of delayed discharges in hospitals.
Questions raised over funding for housebuilding pledges 19/06/2024 A think-tank has warned that a lack of cash for affordable housing will make political parties’ ambitious housebuilding targets difficult to achieve.
Councils and NHS row over Better Care Fund use 18/06/2024 Some Integrated Care Boards are seeking to challenge the parts of the Better Care Fund earmarked for social care funding, LGA councillors have been told.
Norfolk opposes 184km pylon scheme 14/06/2024 Councillors in Norfolk have objected to a National Grid proposal to construct an electricity transmission line across three counties.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils consider legal advice over waste guidance 12/06/2024 Councils are considering seeking legal advice over statutory guidance that will tell local authorities to collect residual waste at least every two weeks, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Full dispersal asylum targets still in draft 12/06/2024 Ministers have not signed off the Government’s 2024 targets for identifying an extra 100,000 bedspaces for asylum seekers this year, The MJ can reveal.
IFS: Funding increases have not reversed austerity 10/06/2024 Councils in England have outspent cash boosts in recent years, leaving core funding 18% lower per person than at the start of the 2010s, think-tank reveals.
The flaws in ‘Clarkson’s clause’ 10/06/2024 Following Jeremy Clarkson-inspired legislative changes around planning permission in rural areas, Kerry Booth, Rural Services Network, shares her concerns.
‘Existential crisis’ for councils as £6bn funding gap revealed 06/06/2024 A new Local Government White Paper has uncovered a £6.2bn funding gap facing councils in England over the next two years.
Judge: Kent cannot wriggle out of asylum duties 05/06/2024 Kent CC has been told by a judge it cannot wriggle out of its duties to ‘accommodate and look after’ all unaccompanied asylum seeking (UAS) children.
Council staff 'live in fear of abuse, assault or worse' 03/06/2024 Council staff and members often live ‘in fear of abuse, assault or worse,’ experts have warned.
Competitive bidding ‘not working for anyone’ 31/05/2024 The next government must end the ‘begging bowl culture’ of local growth funding, a think-tank has argued.
Hoare: We still want productivity plans 30/05/2024 Local government minister Simon Hoare has insisted he still wants councils to draw up unpopular productivity plans despite the election, The MJ understands.
Council bosses call on next government to deliver ‘fundamental reform’ 30/05/2024 Local services could reach ‘breaking point’ if the next government fails to deliver long-term funding and ‘fundamental reform’, a cross-party group of council leaders has argued.
Ending asylum hotel use could put ‘unacceptable pressure’ on councils 29/05/2024 MPs have raised concerns that the Government has not engaged effectively with councils about the impact of its asylum policies on local areas.
Government digs in over asylum housing target 29/05/2024 Home Office has doubled down on council concerns over asylum targets and insisted Full Dispersal can ‘strike balance between equity and housing availability’.
EXCLUSIVE: Tower Hamlets Best Value Inspection extended 28/05/2024 The Best Value Inspection (BVI) team at Tower Hamlets LBC has extended its work to include the council’s oversight of the General Election.
High Court dismisses Bibby Stockholm legal challenge 23/05/2024 The High Court has dismissed a legal case challenging the Government’s controversial use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers off the coast.
MacAlister: Not enough has changed on children's social care 23/05/2024 The author of the Government’s independent review of children’s care has warned ‘not enough has changed’ since he proposed reforms two years ago.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils given 100,000 asylum housing target 21/05/2024 Councils have been told to identify an extra 100,000 bedspaces for asylum seekers amid Home Office expectations of a surge in arrivals, The MJ can reveal.
Flood councils in urgent £11m cash call 21/05/2024 Councils managing flood risks have urgently called for £11m cash to plug a ‘widening gap’ in Internal Drainage Board (IDB) funding.
Short-term lets plans could ‘worsen’ housing shortage 20/05/2024 London boroughs have warned that government plans for regulating the short-term lets sector could worsen the capital’s housing crisis.
Auditors add to council biometric warnings 20/05/2024 A spending watchdog has echoed councils’ concerns that biometric entry requirements at UK ports could lead to freight delays and gridlock on major roads.
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.
Fresh local government cuts warning 14/05/2024 Government commitments mean cuts will be made to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities without a higher overall spending envelope.
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.
Fresh Best Value Notice for South Cambs over four-day week 08/05/2024 The Government has issued a new Best Value Notice to South Cambridgeshire DC due to ‘ongoing concerns’ about the authority’s four-day working week.
‘Bleak’ future for social housing without investment 07/05/2024 Without extra funding, the future of England's social housing looks ‘bleak’, council bosses have warned.
Councils frustrated by Whitehall siloes, says chief 07/05/2024 Whitehall’s siloed approach to city centre renewal has led to ‘frustration’ from councils, slowed down projects and increased costs, council chief warns.
Re-elected Burnham calls for Right to Buy suspension powers 07/05/2024 Greater Manchester’s re-elected mayor has called for powers to suspend Right to Buy on new homes under plans to build 10,000 houses across the region.
Councils cut back housebuilding plans 03/05/2024 New research has found that 15 local authorities have recently cut the number of homes they intend to build over the next decade by at least 10%.
Nationwide local government recruitment campaign planned 29/04/2024 Ministers have agreed to fund the roll-out of a national publicity campaign promoting the attractions of working for local government.
Schools in disrepair due to funding ‘failure’, union warns 29/04/2024 More than four-fifths of headteachers (83%) have said they do not have enough money to maintain their school buildings.
MPs sign off indefinite delay to no-fault evictions ban 25/04/2024 The Renters (Reform) Bill, which now includes an indefinite delay to the long-awaited ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions, passed its third reading in the Commons yesterday.
Sunak's defence spending could hit council budgets, says IFS 24/04/2024 The Prime Minister’s announcement of extra defence cash could hit public sector budgets further, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS).
Gove open to giving mayors Whitehall voice 23/04/2024 Local government secretary Michael Gove has not ruled out a ‘formal structure’ for mayors to work more closely with central government.
Blow to council hopes for cash boost 23/04/2024 The prospect of extra cash for councils has faded further with the latest public finance figures showing the UK borrowed more than expected last month.
Social work development programme 'pulled' by Department for Education 16/04/2024 A Government decision to end a training and development programme for social work managers has been branded a ‘kick in the teeth’ for the sector.
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.