Councils are using low interest rates to become some of the country’s largest property investors as they aim to boost commercial revenue to offset government cuts, a New Local Government...
CIPFA is to launch guidance on the governance principles for local government pension scheme asset pools following the submission of formal collaboration plans to government.
Locals councils have a “historic opportunity” to shape their financial futures by contributing to a funding review as part of business rates localisation, the communities secretary Greg Clark said...
Government financial assets across banking, housing and student finance are placing an increasing risk to the public finances, the National Audit Office has warned.
The UK has lost its triple-A credit ratings from all major agencies after Standard and Poor’s downgrade following the vote to leave the European Union.
Debt servicing costs are increasing across local government, and now account for at least 9.9% of revenue expenditure in a quarter of single-tier and county councils, according to the National Audit...
Nearly 20 local authorities are set to approve the UK Municipal Bonds Agency’s regulations by the end of July, clearing the way for its landmark first issue to take place in the autumn.
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...
The chair of a major LGPS asset pool has said there will need to be a “mindset change” across the sector as part of a government drive to spread the practice.
Unison has called for changes in the law to ensure the independence of local authority pension funds to take investment decisions in the best interest of their members.
Local authority treasurer societies can pack a punch, says Duncan Whitfield, Southwark Council’s finance director, given the resilience and resourcefulness of the profession
A pensions investment initiative, which includes two council schemes, has set out its first £125m funding plan as part of a drive to boost infrastructure investment.
Lancashire County Pension Fund and the London Pensions Fund Authority have confirmed discussions with other local government pension schemes to join their asset pool as it was approved by financial...
Plans for a £33bn asset pool across 11 local government pension schemes have been formally launched following last month’s submission of an outline plan to government.
English local government has a “predictable and supportive” institutional framework that means the sector is transparent and stable, according to an analysis by the credit ratings agency...
Local authority pension schemes will today submit plans to government to pool their assets into so-called British Wealth Funds, with seven proposals now set to be submitted for approval.
Cambridgeshire County Council has become the first local authority to approve the operating framework for the UK Municipal Bond Agency, meaning it could form part of the first bond issue.
Credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s has said it expects the first issue from the Local Government Association-backed municipal bond agency to take place this year.
The council-backed municipal bonds agency being formed to provide a new source of finance for local government is ready to put together its first issue once authorities approve its borrowing...
A working group of 24 local authorities has called for the creation of a national infrastructure investment platform for council pension schemes as part of government reforms to the sector.