Poverty and inequality are financial challenges for local authorities and threaten the cohesion of their communities.
This briefing provides a selective report of the Institute of Fiscal Studies’ 2015 Green Budget which discusses some of the issues confronting the Chancellor ahead of his 2015 Budget Statement on Wednesday 18 March. It will be of particular interest to elected members and officers in all authorities concerned with finance and strategic planning.
On Your Radar provides regular updates on information from central government and other key organisations; looks ahead at what could be hitting the headlines and comments on issues relevant to local government that will be influencing the political landscape over the coming months.
This briefing covers two reports: the NAO analyses why so many national commitments to improve services in the wake of the Winterbourne View scandal were widely missed and the report from key bodies such as the DH, NHS England, ADASS and the CQC identify actions to accelerate progress.
The Improving Access to Work for disabled people report highlights the value of the AtW programme, but also concerns about its administration and coverage. The briefing will be of interest to officers and members working in human resources, equalities and the local economy and to trade unions and disabled employees.
This briefing summarises the report, ‘Transforming Lives – reducing women’s imprisonment by SI (Soroptimist International) and the Prison Reform Trust.’ The report comments on the experience of women in the criminal justice system and the chequered picture of efforts to reduce the number of women who are imprisoned.
Cllr Gavin Edwards, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny at Southwark Council, discusses new approaches to council outsourcing and procurement
This briefing summarises the Children’s Society report, ‘At what cost? Exposing the impact of poverty on school life.’ The report addresses the Children’s Commission on Poverty’s examination of the hidden costs of school.
This briefing summarises the main findings and recommendations from the APPG’s inquiry into hunger and food poverty in the UK. An Evidence Review explores the nature of hunger and food poverty across the UK, the role of food banks and the failure of Britain’s food system to provide universal access to healthy, affordable food.
The ‘Winterbourne View’, commissioned by NHS England, makes a number of recommendations for how national and local organisations can work together to fulfil the government’s pledge that people with learning disabilities and/or autism and behaviour that challenges should not be inappropriately placed in hospital.
This briefing summarises the DfE’s consultation on new regulations for young carers. The Young Carers’ (Needs Assessments) (England) Regulations will come into force on 1 April 2015 and will put into effect Section 96 of the Children and Families Act 2014, under which local authorities in England must assess whether young carers within their area…
