Ministers have withdrawn nine further council reorganisation decisions, leaving 15 areas including Essex awaiting outcomes by early 2027.
Staff member · 3 min readEnglish mayors will receive a 20% share of business rates revenues from April 2027 as ministers unveil a fiscal devolution roadmap for local government funding.
Staff member · 3 min readGuardian analysis finds the area of Greater Manchester land owned by UAE-linked companies rose 39% between 2016 and 2026, as separate scrutiny continues of regional development loans and partnerships.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Treasury plans a £1.5bn borrowing facility for English mayors from 2028, alongside £285m in Good Growth funding and £150m to build regional authorities’ capacity.
Staff member · 2 min readJohn Swinney says he will work with Andy Burnham on devolving more power to Scottish regions, but rejects criticism that Holyrood is too centralised.
Staff member · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has invited John Swinney to work with Westminster on devolving more decision-making to Scottish regions and cities, as the SNP meets for its conference.
Staff member · 2 min readA Commons committee says bridges and tunnels could improve transport for Scottish island communities, urging ministers to consider support while warning ferries remain essential.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readFour motions to exclude Michelle O'Neill and three other Sinn Féin ministers over the Drumcree parade protests were defeated at Stormont.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readJohn Swinney has predicted that Andy Burnham will be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom as the SNP leader intensifies pressure for another Scottish independence referendum.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readJohn Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O'Neill are expected to meet in Cardiff on Monday as nationalist leaders prepare a joint declaration on self-determination and the UK's constitutional future.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readWelsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has warned Andy Burnham not to treat Wales like an English region as he presses the Prime Minister to devolve policing and justice powers.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readRegional mayors across England are to be given powers to impose an Overnight Visitor Levy on accommodation, with money raised retained for local investment.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readAndy Burnham has sparked a fresh Scottish independence row after saying another referendum would not take place unless majority public support emerged, prompting the SNP to claim the Prime Minister had shifted his position.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readAngela Rayner has withdrawn local government reorganisation decisions covering Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and paused the wider programme for review following updated legal advice.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readLiverpool City Region has begun bringing its bus network back under public control, starting in St Helens before expanding to Wirral and the rest of the region.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readThe Burnham Government has launched a cross-government taskforce to examine greater public control across housing, water, energy and transport, while stressing that detailed ownership models and any nationalisation plans have not yet been decided.
Charlotte Mercer · 5 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has offered devolution deals to every part of England without devolved powers and said Cornwall's agreement could proceed with or without an elected mayor.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readJohn Swinney's Scottish Government has demanded a Scottish Visa, Rural Visa and Scottish Graduate Visa just a day after publishing its draft legislation for another independence referendum.
Charlotte Mercer · 6 min read