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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Exclusive poll: Tory councillors deliver dire verdict on the Sunak government
Less than a third say Westminster policies have been good for their local areas, a New Statesman Spotlight survey finds.
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The silent death of the free fireworks display
In the era of the zero-sum neighbourhood, councils can’t pay for fun if they’re fixing your road.
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The housing battle of Hastings
A perfect storm is engulfing the East Sussex seaside town – and dozens of other councils facing bankruptcy.
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Councils are the victims not the cause of their poor finances
National government blames local mismanagement, but the problems in local authorities stem from years of underinvestment.
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What would a Labour government do about HS2 and levelling up?
As the party’s conference nears, the opposition will have to set out its plans to bring economic growth to all…
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In austerity Britain, councils have sold off billions in public assets
We are still paying the price for cuts to public services – we must boost power locally to redress this.
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The ghosts of austerity are returning to haunt Rishi Sunak
As the last of the Osbornites, the Prime Minister is more culpable than most as the country crumbles around him.
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How might Keir Starmer run the country? Look to Labour councils
Labour-led authorities have governed under austerity for more than a decade, with mixed success.
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You can’t pay off Nimbys
Council tax discounts aren’t enough to placate those who don’t want new buildings in their local area, and could be…
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Rishi Sunak’s LTNs review exposes the hollow promises of devolution
Both parties promise to end decades of centralisation – but only if the beneficiaries stick rigidly to Whitehall’s plans.
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Exclusive: Hundreds faced jail over unpaid council tax since 2010
New data reveals how councils have been taking action against people in debt – many of whom can’t afford to…
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Local authorities need an emergency rescue package
Starving councils of much-needed finance will prove to be a false economy.
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How would Labour do levelling up?
Labour's shadow levelling up minister, Alex Norris, on the opposition's plans for devolution and regional policy.
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