Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
David Phillips of the IFS tells LocalGov why England's regional finance reforms are modest by global comparison and what ministers still need to get right.
Questions over link between welfare and rent increases
18/08/2026 Unfreezing housing benefits would not drive increasing rents, according to newly-published analysis. |
Devolution race exposes divisions over mayor question
13/08/2026 The Government was this week facing hurdles as it races to complete the devolution map across England by the end of 2028. |
Doubts over health and care integration agreements
06/08/2026 Doubts have been cast over the future of a key model for joint working between health and council services. |
CIPFA report uncovers 'weak financial management' at Hillingdon
03/08/2026 Hillingdon LBC must change course to avoid relying on exceptional financial support (EFS) for years to come, a report has concluded. |
Councils' vulnerability to cyber attacks highlighted
29/07/2026 English councils are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than a year ago, according to annual analysis by the Cyber Centre of Excellence. |
Local government handed role developing skills pipelines
28/07/2026 Councils and mayors will be given a role in developing skills pipelines for local industries under plans announced by the Government. |
Burnham to boost mayors' spending power
28/07/2026 Prime Minister Andy Burham is preparing to announce a significant boost to mayors' spending power later this week, it has been reported. |
LGA warns councils 'sidelined' by social care Fair Pay Agreement
16/07/2026 Councils are to be ‘sidelined' by a negotiating body representing care workers, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned. |
Reed acknowledges fair funding 'dramatic shifts' in councils' finances
15/07/2026 Local government secretary Steve Reed has conceded ‘dramatic shifts' in councils' finances resulting from the fair funding review should have been avoided. |
LGA conference: Change journey 'will never end' in Northamptonshire
09/07/2026 North Northamptonshire Council has offered to help councils embarking on their own reorganisation journey. |
Funding pledge could shackle social care reform
07/07/2026 The prospects for social care reform under an Andy Burnham government could be constrained by his tax pledges, experts have warned. |
CIPFA prudential code changes aim for greater council transparency
06/07/2026 Changes to councils' financial reporting are being proposed in a bid to prevent a future collapse on the scale of Woking BC. |
Burnham puts devolution at centre of leadership pitch
29/06/2026 Andy Burnham has pledged the ‘biggest rebalance of power our country has ever seen' as he prepares to enter Downing Street. |
Hampshire and Portsmouth to challenge local government reorganisation
25/06/2026 Two of the largest councils in Hampshire have become the latest to launch a legal challenges against local government reorganisation (LGR). |
Government rejects SEND power expansion for councils
23/06/2026 The Government has rejected calls by MPs to boost councils' powers over health partners to provide Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). |
EXCLUSIVE: Officers warn of looming elections systems failure
18/06/2026 The elections system is under ‘increasing strain' and ‘likely to fail' if put under further pressure, officers have warned. |
Devolution could 'deepen regional imbalances'
02/06/2026 The Government’s chosen path of devolution could make regional inequality in England worse, a think-tank has warned. |
Reorganisation deadline 'tight and frankly unreasonable'
02/06/2026 A district council has branded the Government’s local government reorganisation deadline ‘tight and frankly unreasonable’. |
Three boroughs share chief 'in preparation for LGR'
01/06/2026 Three councils hoping to form a unitary authority under local government reorganisation have agreed to share a chief executive and monitoring officer. |
Councils demand full cost recovery for planning fees
28/05/2026 Proposals to increase planning application fees do not go far enough, the Government has been warned. |
