After two years of Covid-19 and ten years of austerity, public services are in bad shape, according to the latest Performance Tracker from the Institute for Government and CIPFA. This briefing explores the listed ‘common’ problems including Covid backlogs, staff shortages and a legacy of under-investment.
Our monthly Think Tank Review highlights key findings from leading think tanks and research institutes across the globe. This edition includes publications on climate change, skills gaps in the green economy, food insecurity, elections and democratic renewal, local media and digital inclusion.
This briefing argues that the upcoming Victorian State Election provides an opportunity to look at what the local government sector is advocating for, and where there are similarities and differences.
This new edition covers policy/research papers from late July-early October 2022 – a tumultuous time economically, politically and constitutionally, with the death of Queen Elizabeth and a shaky start from the incoming prime minister.
This briefing covers the top national priorities of council leaders in a post-Covid-19 environment, as outlined in the recently-published Australian Local Government CEO Index 2022
In August 2022, The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) published five papers on educational inequalities. This briefing deals with the largest of these, education inequalities.
Covid-19 COVID-19 and greenspace use survey findings is a new report produced by the Data and Evidence subgroup of the Environment and Spaces for Public Health Partnership Group. Before the pandemic, evidence suggested underlying inequalities in access to and use of high-quality green and open spaces. Survey findings indicate these inequalities may have widened. Evidence…
This briefing reviews the most recent ONS statistics on GDP growth, labour market performance, and inflation – roughly one year on from the start of relaxations in Covid restrictions. It includes a brief review of the latest Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
A wealth of research has been assembled about the effect of COVID-19 and lockdowns on the lives of children and young people. This briefing looks at learning loss, who it affects and the implications for mental health and wellbeing, using research mainly conducted in England.
Our new, monthly policy round-up for England provides a summary of key policy and practice documents affecting local government. This edition covers policy/research papers from June and early July 2022, a period dominated by political instability, the cost of living crisis, gloomy economic news and industrial action.
