Members
Health, Public Health and Social Care Round-Up October 2019
Catch up with the latest health and care news in our latest round-up
England & Wales
Briefings
Members
Education, Health and Care Plans: Ombudsman complaints – England
The number of complaints to the Ombudsman about Education, Health and care Plans is increasing rapidly. The rate of finding against local authorities and their partners has risen from just over 50% to almost 90%. A checklist is provided for LAs to review practice and reduce complaints.
England & Wales
Members
Work and Pensions Committee Universal Credit: natural migration
This briefing covers a report published by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee on the process of migration from existing benefits (the legacy system) to Universal Credit. Migration is currently by either natural migration, when the circumstances of claimants change, or through managed migration, which will apply to all remaining claimants of legacy…
England & Wales, Scotland
Members
Party Conferences 2019: education and children’s services – England
A compendium of announcements on early years, education, youth service, safeguarding and skills made at the 2019 Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Conference.
England & Wales
Members
Modern methods of construction
They have been talked about as a panacea for housebuilding for nearly 20 years. But to what extent are builders using modern methods of construction (MMC) and what, if anything, is holding them back?
England & Wales
Members
Swift Read: The Transport Bill transforming local authority powers in Scotland
New powers for local authorities in Scotland are included in the Transport (Scotland) Bill passed on Thursday 10 October 2019, including powers for councils to bring in bus service improvement partnerships or operating their own bus companies, the introduction of low-emission zones and the introduction of the workplace parking levy. This briefing covers the main…
Scotland
Members
Local Government Performance 2018: Report of the National Oversight and Audit Commission
This briefing is the latest in our series of briefings on reports commissioned and published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission. Report no 22 is NOAC’s fifth annual Performance Indicator Report, which addresses some 37 selected indicators at national level. By and large they cover all of the key services provided by local authorities.
Ireland
Members
Universal Credit and Foodbank Use
This briefing covers a recent Trussell Trust report, which examines the impact of the five week waiting period for Universal Credit (UC) on food bank use and other consequences of financial hardship. The analysis demonstrates a substantial increase in foodbank use accompanying UC roll out.
England & Wales, Scotland
Members
Housing and planning round-up October 2019
Catch up with all the latest housing and planning news and consultations
England & Wales, Scotland
Members
The new cold war: why everyone wants a piece of the Arctic
This briefing offers a beginner’s guide to Arctic matters and the interests of the key states and prospective players in the region. It surveys the new opportunities created by the retreating ice, and the new dangers these pose to the sustainability of the Arctic and its population. It also considers the governance of the region:…
England & Wales, Global, Ireland, Scotland