communities and local government Articles

The indices of deprivation statistics recently released by CLG are disappointing, but not surprising. Blackpool has had pockets of poverty since it was founded. A former colleague on the Labour benches – who died only fairly recently – spent part of her childhood in...

This week, I led Labour’s first opposition day debate of the new parliament in which we called on the government to bring forward a comprehensive plan to tackle the urgent and growing housing crisis. Meeting the demand for housing is one of the biggest challenges our...

My council tax bill landed on the doormat last week. It is not the letter I most look forward to opening but I know my council like most other Labour councils will spend our money wisely and in stark comparison with how this government has wasted billions on a slap...

The public accounts committee report published today, Financial sustainability of local authorities 2014, is shocking, but sadly not surprising. Their evidence reveals not just the impact of funding cuts on the financial sustainability of local government, but the...