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.
The recent Census of Population 2022 – Preliminary Results, which revealed that Ireland’s population had passed 5 million for the first time in over 170 years, had a considerable focus on housing. This briefing reviews the census results in conjunction with relevant housing data to consider how housing supply has measured up.
This briefing asks if it is time that councils and the wider housing world stopped using the term ‘affordable housing.’ It looks at the challenge for councils in ensuring that the housing needs of communities are met.
The DLUHC recently announced plans to help “thousands of families” to build their own homes making self build homes “an option for those who don’t have Grand Designs size budgets”. The announcement was made as the government formally responded to an independent review, commissioned by the Prime Minister.
The long-awaited Australia State of the Environment Report 2021 (SOER 2021) was released by the federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, on 19 July. SOER 2021 is confronting reading and paints a devastating picture of the state of Australia’s environment. This briefing will be of interest to local government…
The purpose of this briefing is to provide a monthly update on the progress of each piece of legislation through the Houses of Parliament that is of relevance to local authorities in England and Wales.
The independent review of children’s social care in England, led by Josh MacAlister, was published its final report in May 2022. This briefing provides a simple regional analysis of cost trends described in that report – namely, the rises in looked after children and the costs of children’s social care.
This briefing addresses some of the preliminary findings of the April 2022 Census undertaken in Ireland. Ireland’s population is growing at rates not previously seen in the OECD and this briefing examines the challenges of trying to deliver balanced regional growth in such conditions.
This briefing provides a summary of the key areas of work and challenges for local government identified within the UK Climate Change Committee Report; governance, engagement, skills and a just transition, transport, buildings and planning, and waste management. It will be of interest to senior officers and members involved in delivering local climate action.
Iceland has radically reduced rates of teenage smoking, drinking and drug use in the past 20 years through its “Youth in Iceland” programme to tackle behavioural addiction. This briefing explores why other countries, including the UK, aren’t following suit and will be interesting to local authority members and officers, in OECD countries, with responsibility for…
