Labour MPs attack 'spiteful' minister on housing transfers
News Article 21 July 2004
A series of Labour MPs have lined up to criticise the government's plans on council housing.
Watchdog slams response to schools funding 'crisis'
News Article 21 July 2004
Ministers were wrong to blame councils for failing to pass funds on to schools last year, an Audit Commission report has claimed.
Council tax facing second review
Press Review 21 July 2004
Council tax reform will be the subject of a second review, after a 15-month study concluded that more work is needed on the options.
Raynsford caps councils
Press Review 20 July 2004
Local government minister Nick Raynsford has announced that he is to cap the budgets of six councils.
Council tax to be maintained but reformed
News Article 20 July 2004
Nick Raynsford has pledged to reform the council tax system, but has kicked detailed decisions into the long grass.
PM delays council tax reform
Press Review 19 July 2004
The prime minister has opted to pospone a decision on radical reforms to council tax until after the next general election.
Council tax bills 'set to soar'
News Article 18 July 2004
Council tax is set to soar for families living in properties nearing £200,000 as part of a review to be announced by government this week.
MPs back councils on tax and spending
News Article 16 July 2004
A Commons committee has called for local authorities to be given more power over council tax rises.
Town halls and Whitehall set for new council tax battle
Press Review 14 July 2004
The chancellor's spending review settlement for local authorities and demands for cost savings will lead to large council tax rises next year, the Local Government Association has warned.
Housing and councils benefit from rising funds
News Article 12 July 2004
The government has promised more cash for house building to overcome Britain's property price crisis.
Councils must combat crime says Blunkett
News Article 9 July 2004
The home secretary has signalled that crime can only be combated with strong local commitment.
Tories target government waste
Press Review 9 July 2004
Michael Howard's trawl through government waste has identified a further £1 billion in potential economies.
Councils to get cuts not cash
Press Review 9 July 2004
Local authorities learned yesterday that the government believes they can make efficiency savings, rather than receiving more Whitehall cash, to keep council tax bills down.
Howard promises to cut council inspections
News Article 8 July 2004
Michael Howard has promised to scrap inspections of local authorities.
Local authorities facing budget caps
Press Review 8 July 2004
The government will warn up to 14 English authorities, from councils to fire and police boards, that their budgets will be capped after they posted "excessive" tax rises this financial year.
