Take a walk on the wild side with the environment quiz of 2024 From a ‘holy grail’ discovery to the return of a Dartmoor dweller, test your knowledge of this year’s biggest stories The Guardian - UK · Dec 27, 2024
Nearly two-thirds of working private renters in England struggle to pay rent Exclusive: Shelter poll shows housing crisis is causing hardship even for those with jobs The Guardian - UK · Dec 27, 2024
Devolution will only work if Westminster can let go of power Letters: Roger Read, Tom Wilson, John Harris and Barrie Baldelli on Labour’s plans to reform local government The Guardian - UK · Dec 23, 2024
Who’s who? Test your knowledge with our Christmas picture puzzle news quiz They all made waves in 2024, but can you name the politicians, sports stars, pop heroes and good eggs? The Guardian - UK · Dec 23, 2024
Final grants for pubs, pools and parks announced under community ownership fund The scheme has closed early due to the state of the public finances. The Independent UK · Dec 23, 2024
Lower housebuyers’ bills with solar panels on newbuild roofs, ministers urged The Sunshine Bill will be debated by MPs in the new year. Evening Standard · Dec 22, 2024
Plea to make key solar panel change to lower energy bills Renewable energy chiefs are urging key change The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2024
Four times Labour promised to abolish 'indefensible' House of Lords LABOUR have faced criticism for announcing a raft of new nominations to the House of Lords – after previously pledging to ditch the chamber… The National (Scotland) · Dec 21, 2024
We now have a plan to make England’s local government work – but I fear party politics will trash it Angela Rayner’s white paper on reform in this vital area is well-intentioned. The problems will be funding and sabotage, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle The Guardian - UK · Dec 19, 2024
More than 56,000 primary school children in England will be homeless this Christmas A key charity warns of the heartbreaking number of children who will be homeless this Christmas as the government pledges an extra £1bn funding for accommodation The Independent UK · Dec 19, 2024
Concerns raised over impact of Chinese 'super-embassy' on London's 'very stretched' police Labour and Tory members of the London Assembly were united on Wednesday in their opposition to the proposed embassy in Tower Hamlets Evening Standard · Dec 18, 2024
'Simply inadequate': Government fund to tackle homelessness criticised by London boroughs London boroughs now spend £4million every day on housing homeless people Evening Standard · Dec 18, 2024
Eight times Labour figures backed Waspi women before compensation 'betrayal' SEVERAL senior Labour figures have been called out on social media for previously showing their support for Waspi women... The National (Scotland) · Dec 18, 2024
‘Vital cash injection’ to tackle and prevent homelessness welcomed Housing Secretary Angela Rayner described the funding as ‘historic’. The Independent UK · Dec 18, 2024
The Conversation · Dec 17, 2024 English councils and planning set to be transformed under ambitious devolution plan – an expert explains The UK government has outlined its plans for English devolution and local government reform in a landmark white paper. These are some of the most consequential reforms of recent times, signalling a long-term settlement on how England is governed. English devolution bridges two of the government’s biggest challenges: how to…
The Guardian - UK · Dec 16, 2024 Tories cry foul as overhaul of English councils may delay local elections Labour’s changes to local government may postpone votes in areas Conservatives and Reform UK were hoping to win seats
The Guardian - UK · Dec 16, 2024 The Guardian view on local government reform: the risk is disruption but no progress Editorial: The white paper promises devolution. But sweeping away district councils will not drive growth
The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2024 Devolution will be the default for local government, Angela Rayner claims Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner said the Government was ‘taking a step towards relighting the fire in our great regions’.
Evening Standard · Dec 16, 2024 Devolution plans ‘about giving power from Westminster to local leaders’ – No 10 Downing Street said the redesign was also about tackling the ‘waste’ from multiple layers of government.
The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2024 Devolution plans spark fears that powers could be taken from local communities The proposals include creating so-called strategic authorities across England to bring together councils in areas where people live and work.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 16, 2024 Mayors to get powers to stop planning delays in England, Angela Rayner to say Pledge set out in white paper to be unveiled this week is part of a ‘devolution by default’ approach by Whitehall
The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2024 Angela Rayner to create mega-councils in war on nimbys Angela Rayner will on Monday unveil plans for new mega-councils as Labour takes on ‘nimbys’ blocking planning applications.
The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2024 Rayner to promise ‘devolution by default’ in speech to local leaders The Deputy Prime Minister will vow to push power out of Whitehall and into the hands of people with ‘skin in the game’.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 14, 2024 Labour plan for 1.5m new homes is not feasible, housebuilding firm says Head of Barratt Redrow says sector faces ‘national crisis’ due to skills shortage, ageing workforce and Brexit
Evening Standard · Dec 14, 2024 Labour’s British building boom not possible, construction authorities say Asked Labour’s vow to build 1.5 million homes is achievable, Barratt Redrow chief executive David Thomas said: “The short answer is no.”