Devolution of powers and budgets from central government is an essential driver for integrating public services at the local level, writes Lord Kerslake
Manchester is already thinking about how a range of taxes, including stamp duty and the climate change levy, could work locally, city council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein told CIPFA delegates.
Devolution in England is gathering pace. In the Budget, the chancellor made it clear that he considered that the process of shifting power away from Westminster has only just begun.
Scotland’s finance minister John Swinney used his speech at today’s CIPFA conference to call for the Smith Commission’s agreements to be implemented in full in the upcoming Scotland Act.
In a statement filled with policy announcements, the chancellor reiterated his commitment to devolution. Councils must get their proposals to the government before they get landed with someone else’s...
Cornwall is set to be the first county to secure a devolution deal from the government, while discussions are underway to reach devolution deals with four cities in England, George Osborne has...
The West Midlands’ seven metropolitan councils have set out plans to form a combined authority after months of disputes about which councils should join it.
The extent to which voters trust Westminster politicians to make spending decisions for their area falls away with increasing distance from London, a poll for CIPFA has found.
The UK’s biggest cities could raise an extra £9bn in revenue every year if they could boost their economic performance to match the national average, a study by the Centre for Cities has found.
As the government prepares to devolve more powers to local areas, leaders and decision-makers in public services must ensure that accountability is as local as the delivery
The Barnett formula is increasingly regarded as no longer fit for purpose. A recent report from the Northern Ireland Assembly helps make the case for a needs-based approach.
Gary Porter, the new Conservative chair of the Local Government Association, today called for responsibility for training and skills to be devolved to councils.
Businesses in the North overwhelmingly back the Northern Powerhouse but are urging the government to be more radical on devolution of transport and infrastructure spending.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has claimed that Scottish National Party demands for Holyrood to take over full responsibility for Scotland’s public finances would be a “shambles”...
Chancellor George Osborne has urged cities in the Midlands to develop plans for metro mayors so that powers over health and social care, transport, housing and skills can be devolved to combined...
A leading credit agency has said that government plans to devolve powers to the nations and city regions could have an impact on the UK’s fiscal framework and credit rating.
Counties that form combined authorities could be able to access a range of additional powers from Whitehall, the government’s Devolution Bill has indicated, but only if they appoint directly...
The Queen’s Speech has delivered on the UK government’s pledge of early legislation to enact the fiscal devolution proposed by the Smith Commission, but gives no indication that David...
Today’s confirmation of a City Devolution Bill should be the starting point for devolution go both further and wider across the country. The government should set out a roadmap to turn devolution...