Reform UK's flagship Kent council votes to spend tens of thousands on political assistants, facing accusations of hypocrisy after promising to cut waste. Details on the budget crisis and controversial appointee inside.
Five London boroughs are among six councils given permission to raise council tax above 5% in 2026/27. Some have pledged not to, despite facing major budget gaps. Read the latest on the Fair Funding Review.
The elections watchdog has criticised the government's offer to postpone 63 council votes, warning it risks public confidence. Five councils have already requested delays.
UK retail sales fell 0.1% in November as Budget uncertainty overshadowed Black Friday. Discover the key trends and what it means for the crucial Christmas period.
A 70% surge in rural protests across China reveals a crisis of returning migrant workers and local government debt, sparking clashes over land and livelihoods. Explore the deepening social fissures.
Plans to reorganise local councils in England could push the next local elections back to 2026. Read the latest on the government's devolution agenda and its impact on voters.
Elections for councils serving millions in England could be postponed to 2027, sparking accusations of a political 'stitch-up'. Read the latest on the local government reorganisation delays.
Croydon Council is set for a £120m funding boost over three years after a historic government review. The new Fair Funding 2.0 model aims to better reflect local need, but the borough's massive debt remains a challenge. Read the full story.
A new 'Fair Funding' formula reshapes council finances, boosting deprived areas. But with most councils still hiking tax, is the crisis over? Explore the winners, losers, and impact on your bill.
Manchester, Bradford and outer London boroughs gain spending power in a new three-year settlement, while affluent southern councils face cuts. Will it restore local services?
Reform UK took control of 10 councils, including Lancashire. Seven months on, we examine the party's 'anti-woke' agenda, financial cuts, and a wave of complaints. Listen to the full report.
Brent Council has paid nearly £10,000 in compensation after a Local Government Ombudsman investigation found it failed to provide a disabled teenager with vital educational therapies for over a year.
Exclusive report reveals London councils' £555m reliance on consultants and outsourcing firms for basic services, raising democratic concerns. Read the full investigation.
A North London mother received £5,250 compensation after Brent Council's errors left her and her children without a home for over a year. Read the full Ombudsman report.
A West London council has apologised and paid £250 to a domestic abuse victim after a watchdog found poor communication caused her 'frustration and uncertainty' over her housing situation.
Ministers postpone new mayoral votes in four English regions until 2028, triggering fierce accusations of 'dictatorial' behaviour from opposition parties. Read the full story.
Opposition and crossbench MPs slam the government's proposed Freedom of Information reforms, including new fees and extended response times, warning of a threat to democratic accountability.
Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt faces parliamentary scrutiny over a $20,000 hotel stay for a staff member on a US 'scoping trip'. Watch the video and read the full report.
Australian Minister Anika Wells faces questions over the $1.2 million cost of her delegation's UN trip. She defends the expenditure as vital for global engagement. Read the full defence.
Ofsted warns of a crisis as children's homes surge in cheap areas, not where needed. Vulnerable teens face unsafe, unregistered placements costing up to £30k a week. Urgent reform demanded.
The head of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology faces Senate scrutiny over a near-billion dollar website overhaul. Read the full defence and the concerns raised.
An insider's look at the opaque and often baffling process of securing a seat on a UK government board. Discover the unspoken rules and hidden pathways to public appointments.
Exclusive analysis reveals nearly 40% of City of London Corporation committee items were held in private. Critics accuse the body of being 'too focused on its own interest'.
The IFS warns Rachel Reeves' Budget relies on 'heroic' spending restraint, with major tax rises delayed until 2028, risking future fiscal credibility. Read the full analysis.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves must balance tax rises with spending cuts as Britain's debt servicing hits £110bn annually. Can she ignore political pressure and fix public finances?
Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirms departments must identify savings from low-priority spending, denying major job cuts while facing Coalition criticism over election promises.
Labour's municipal reforms face uphill battle against Tory legacy. Councils need financial sustainability to move beyond crisis management after a decade of austerity.
A West London mother receives £5,675 compensation after Ealing Council's failures left her disabled child without education and therapy for months. Discover the full investigation findings.
Croydon's Mayor commits to a maximum 5% council tax increase despite new government rules allowing higher rises for struggling councils. Get the latest on local finances.
Croydon Council failed to provide legally required support to an autistic child, leaving them without education for nine months. The Ombudsman ordered compensation and systemic changes.