Public Accounts Committee – Affordable Homes Programme
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published a report on the affordable homes programme (“Financial viability of the social housing sector: introducing the Affordable Homes Programme”) informed by a detailed National Audit Office study (NAO). This briefing draws from both. - The Committee concluded that it is not yet clear whether the Programme will deliver…
Whole Area and Neighbourhood Community Budgets – emerging issues and opportunities
This briefing on Whole Area and Community Budgets: - describes the genesis of the community budget pilots, - reviews the progress to date - considers a number of major themes that are emerging from this work that will have huge significance for the future of local government as we approach the next spending review (expected…
Can the Work Programme Work for All User Groups?
This report is the second by the Work and Pensions on the Work Programme (WP). The report covers the WP’s performance during the first year of operations, supply chain management, and the Programme’s payments structure, but most importantly its success in helping hard to place groups. It is concluded that the WP has the potential…
Traineeships: Funding Reform in England – BIS and DfE consultation
Traineeships are a government-funded programme, first launched in August 2013, intended to provide support in acquiring work experience and workplace skills to young people who require extra help with the transition into employment Feedback through subsequent months has led the Government to adjust aspects of the programme, but it is yet to finalise its approach…
Vulnerable young people in residential care and re-integration into families: Multi-systemic Therapy
...articles. The business case includes trying to insulate a model of delivery with long term benefits from the short-term pressures that act on council budgets. Part of the business model...
Managing teachers at the local level: recruitment, appraisal and capability
This briefing is on the new law, and DfE advice, on managing teacher performance and conduct and covers the issues at local level for schools needing to review their processes related to teacher appointments, appraisal and capability. The briefing will be of interest to teachers, head teachers, and governing bodies, and local authorities as the…
UK Youth: State of the Membership 2018
UK Youth’s State of the Membership 2018 report finds that the top three challenges for the youth sector are: a lack of sustainable funding; a lack of voice and influence at a national level, and lack of skilled, experienced staff but that some youth organisations have diversified their income. Recommendations are made on how to…
Health Mortality and Life Expectancy trends in the UK – stalling progress
The report Health Mortality and Life Expectancy trends in the UK – stalling progress, from the Health Foundation, presents new analysis of mortality data. It explores what has happened, who is affected and what is driving current trends.
Illicit drug use and homelessness: how Canada and the UK are dealing with a growing crisis
In 2016, Canada declared a national opioid crisis due to the dramatic rise in drug-related deaths over the past decade. This briefing will investigate the intertwining nature of drug use and homelessness and compare the situation to that of the UK, before discussing whether the approaches taken in Canada could also be effective in the…
EU-UK relationship: implications of the new agreement
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded by the EU and the UK in December 2020 defines their relationship in the post-Brexit, post-transition era. We consider here the agreement’s economic, policy and financial implications.