The aims of the government’s devolution drive have multiplied, while the limits of centralised public finances are being exposed. More transparent ways of doing decentralisation are needed
IPPR North has called for a review of how transport projects are funded across the north of England in order to recognise the role of small and medium sized cities and towns in the government’s...
Scotland should use the devolution of powers over tax and social security as an opportunity to create a single government department to run both systems, an independent think-tank has proposed.
Northern Powerhouse devolution plans should focus on boosting productivity, particularly improvements to skills and transport within cities, according to the Centre for Cities.
Councils need additional fiscal freedoms following devolution of business rates in order to mitigate the risk of making local services dependent on such a volatile source of income, a report has...
Lord Kerslake does not hold back when it comes to challenging government policy. The former civil service chief talks to PF about what’s wrong with the housing bill, his review of the Treasury...
The Public Accounts Committee’s warning that devolution is hindering public spending scrutiny reveals a deeper challenge at the heart of the project: reform of Westminster itself
The National Audit Office has called on ministers to set out more details on how devolution in England can be implemented amid increasing risks to the financial sustainability of local public...
The cost of collecting minimum council tax payments from low-income families is “disproportionate” to the amount being chased, local authorities have told a government-commissioned review into...
David Cameron has said the government’s “devolution revolution” is introducing localist reforms to give councils more control over their finances and greater freedoms over development.
Wales had a net fiscal deficit of £14.7bn in 2014/15, equivalent to almost a quarter of its estimated GDP, according to an analysis of its public finances.
Today’s devolution of NHS funding to Greater Manchester has been hailed as a “historic new era” for health and care by senior local government and health figures in the region.
A number of local authorities have raised objections about devolution deals with Whitehall, with councils across the north east of England delaying approval of an agreement and councillors in...
There needs to be clarity on how reforms to take small firms out of business rates will affect councils. There is a risk the link between economic growth and increased local revenues will be broken.
George Osborne’s Budget set a good direction on devolution and prevention through the sugar tax, but there are too many surprises and uncertainties for top marks.
Small businesses are to be exempt from business rates from next April in a move that will reduce the revenue raised – which is 50% retained by councils – by £6.7bn over the next...
Devolution deals that are transforming public services in Greater Manchester would not have happened without Scottish devolution showing the way, former CIPFA president and Bury Council chief...
The chancellor’s statement next week must be focused on making the most of the UK’s cities if the country is to weather the tough economic climate ahead