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Clive Betts: We should share the energy companies' unearned income through a...
Oil and gas companies argue that a windfall tax will stop them investing in future energy sources – but that's simply not the caseThree simple questions to ask. Are the energy companies making extra...
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What does this government really mean by localism?
As his parliamentary select committee reports on the state of localism across the UK, chair Clive Betts MP warns the policy is at risk of becoming meaningless.When the Government says it wants to make...
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The time for central inspection and audit is over
As the Audit Commission is abolished, Clive Betts says the 150-year-old principle that public bodies should not appoint their own auditors must be upheldThe audit and inspection of local authorities...
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Clive Betts: localisation of council tax benefit is a risk and an illusion
In its latest report, the communities and local government select committee claims councils faced with difficult choices could be forced to slash support for the unemployedToday, in our latest report...
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#YBaCouncillor: what puts people off local office?
The chair of the House of Commons committee on local government explains his new campaign to find out why people become councillors and what puts others offA 2010 census of local authority councillors,...
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Why the government should establish a housing investment bank
Finding the investment to build new homes is a major challenge, so let's look to a Dutch solution to boost social housingEarlier this year the communities and local government select committee, which I...
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Government must listen to and assist councils on welfare reforms
MPs committee report on the implementation of welfare reforms calls for better impact assessment of individuals and local authoritiesThe implementation of some of the most far reaching welfare reforms...
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Is the cost of light touch planning worth paying for marginal growth?
New planning arrangements rushed through government haven't been scrutinised. They are a 'Whitehall fudge'Last month parliament agreed new rules that will allow the government to relax planning...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clive Betts: We should share the energy companies' unearned income through a...
Oil and gas companies argue that a windfall tax will stop them investing in future energy sources – but that's simply not the caseThree simple questions to ask. Are the energy companies making extra...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What does this government really mean by localism?
As his parliamentary select committee reports on the state of localism across the UK, chair Clive Betts MP warns the policy is at risk of becoming meaningless.When the Government says it wants to make...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The time for central inspection and audit is over
As the Audit Commission is abolished, Clive Betts says the 150-year-old principle that public bodies should not appoint their own auditors must be upheldThe audit and inspection of local authorities...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clive Betts: localisation of council tax benefit is a risk and an illusion
In its latest report, the communities and local government select committee claims councils faced with difficult choices could be forced to slash support for the unemployedToday, in our latest report...
View ArticleClik here to view.
#YBaCouncillor: what puts people off local office?
The chair of the House of Commons committee on local government explains his new campaign to find out why people become councillors and what puts others offA 2010 census of local authority councillors,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why the government should establish a housing investment bank
Finding the investment to build new homes is a major challenge, so let's look to a Dutch solution to boost social housingEarlier this year the communities and local government select committee, which I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Government must listen to and assist councils on welfare reforms
MPs committee report on the implementation of welfare reforms calls for better impact assessment of individuals and local authoritiesThe implementation of some of the most far reaching welfare reforms...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is the cost of light touch planning worth paying for marginal growth?
New planning arrangements rushed through government haven't been scrutinised. They are a 'Whitehall fudge'Last month parliament agreed new rules that will allow the government to relax planning...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More people are dependent on the private rented sector: it should meet their...
The private rented sector is confusing, under-regulated and insecure. Our recommendations hope to change this• How would you improve the private rented sector?The private rented sector is experiencing...
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Community budgets: let's not squander this opportunity | Clive Betts
The community budget projects should not be the latest new thing from government that is abandoned after a few pilotsIn 2010 the government announced its intention to pilot community budgets as a...
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Councils must engage local small businesses through procurement
Local government spends £62bn a year procuring services, but this vital area is often overlooked as a dry academic exerciseThe public sector spends a staggering £227 bn a year on procuring goods and...
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Giving cities power over purse strings is good – but don't forget rural areas
City deals inquiry will look into whether more control over local spending for UK's major cities can work for everyoneIt's a brave politician who tries to sell potential voters "fiscal devolution". But...
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