We need a ten-year plan for local government
After years of underfunding, councils need a coherent strategy for recovery, reset and renewal.
ByCouncils
Local authorities warn they have “little choice” but to raise council tax
A majority of councils across England have revealed they plan to raise bills by almost 5 per cent this year.
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How council funding impacts public health
While focus often falls on the NHS, cuts to local authority budgets have had serious consequences for the UK’s healthcare…
By Five solutions to the council finance crisis
Other than a cash injection, how can local leaders save authorities from a wave of bankruptcies?
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English councils are facing an “out-of-control” financial crisis
A new report calls on the government to close the £4bn funding gap, or face a fresh wave of bankruptcies.
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The Research Brief: Why centralised funding is a waste of public money
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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Financial pressures are taking a toll on council staff
New polling reveals poor training, accountability and overwork in local authorities.
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Council bankruptcy tracker: authorities under increasing financial strain
Six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021. Spotlight looks at the financial situation at English councils.
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Revolution in the Wirral
Also this week: world-class music in schools, and making space for culture.
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How the local government finance settlement would leave poorer authorities worse off
Conservative MPs are demanding emergency funding in response to devolved finance proposals that penalise poorer councils.
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What does it mean when a council declares bankruptcy?
Local governments across England are worried about their finances, and we should be too.
By Selling off assets won’t stop council bankruptcies
The government hopes someone else will deal with the problem of inadequate local authority funding.
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Exclusive: Half of Conservative councillors think the NHS has worsened since 2010
Forty-eight per cent of Tory local leaders say health services have deteriorated since their party came to power.
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Labour’s publicly controlled buses policy is vital – but it’s only the first step
Transport for London-style franchising will improve local services. But councils need to open decision-making to the public.
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Exclusive: More than a third of councillors say recreational, leisure and cultural services have been cut since 2010
Amid bankruptcies and lack of funding, Spotlight polling reveals that libraries, leisure centres and parks are all being sidelined.
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Councils are on the brink – but there’s no mea culpa from Michael Gove
With one in five local authorities saying they are likely to go bankrupt, the Levelling Up Secretary is shifting the…
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Where have all the rebel councils gone?
Nottingham is the latest authority to issue a bankruptcy notice, signalling a broad crisis for local government. Why aren’t councils…
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Exclusive: Half of councillors say social housing has not been upgraded since 2010
As residents face extortionate energy bills this winter, many council homes in need of retrofitting remain unfit for purpose.
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The real divide over Ulez, LTNs and 20mph zones
Councillors defy Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer by overwhelmingly supporting traffic-calming measures.
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Exclusive: High streets “worse since 2010”, say most Tory councillors
The Conservative government claims the economy has “turned a corner” – but its own grassroots say otherwise.
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