@martinrgeorge.bsky.social
Sad to see that former Guardian journalist David Gow has died.
My first ever “exclusive interview” was with him and a photographer who visited my primary school for some long forgotten feature when I was 11 years old.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
My first ever “exclusive interview” was with him and a photographer who visited my primary school for some long forgotten feature when I was 11 years old.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
November 4, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Sad to see that former Guardian journalist David Gow has died.
My first ever “exclusive interview” was with him and a photographer who visited my primary school for some long forgotten feature when I was 11 years old.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
My first ever “exclusive interview” was with him and a photographer who visited my primary school for some long forgotten feature when I was 11 years old.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Ahead of next month's @theied.bsky.social annual conference, I talked to its chair @tomstannard.bsky.social about the biggest issues for economic development practitioners.
No surprise the government's growth mission is top of the list, with viability a key concern www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
No surprise the government's growth mission is top of the list, with viability a key concern www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
Stannard: Improve viability to achieve growth
Planning reform is just one ingredient needed for the government to achieve its growth mission, warns the chair of the Institute of Economic Development ahead of its annual conference.
www.lgcplus.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Ahead of next month's @theied.bsky.social annual conference, I talked to its chair @tomstannard.bsky.social about the biggest issues for economic development practitioners.
No surprise the government's growth mission is top of the list, with viability a key concern www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
No surprise the government's growth mission is top of the list, with viability a key concern www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
One down, 20 to go: the government has announced how it will reorganise local government in Surrey.
What does this mean for the decisions it will make about the remaining two-tier council areas?
Here's my Local Government Chronicle briefing:
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
What does this mean for the decisions it will make about the remaining two-tier council areas?
Here's my Local Government Chronicle briefing:
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
What Surrey means for LGR’s future
With one down and 20 to go, deputy editor Martin George assesses what we can learn from the government’s first local government reorganisation decision.
www.lgcplus.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
One down, 20 to go: the government has announced how it will reorganise local government in Surrey.
What does this mean for the decisions it will make about the remaining two-tier council areas?
Here's my Local Government Chronicle briefing:
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
What does this mean for the decisions it will make about the remaining two-tier council areas?
Here's my Local Government Chronicle briefing:
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
A milestone for the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales: its value has now risen above £400bn www.lgcplus.com/investment/v...
Value of LGPS passes £400bn
Official statistics reveal much investment income the LGPS in England and Wales received in 2024-25, as well as changes to investment management expenses and membership.
www.lgcplus.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A milestone for the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales: its value has now risen above £400bn www.lgcplus.com/investment/v...
Now all but one of the 21 'homeless' council pension funds have chosen their preferred pool, Phil Triggs examines how the new-look Local Government Pension Scheme took shape, the challenges for the four expanding pools, and what success and failure would look like www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
Phil Triggs: Future challenges for new-look LGPS
The ‘homeless’ pension funds have chosen their destinations. The tri-borough director of treasury and pensions at Westminster City Council outlines we got here, and what it means.
www.lgcplus.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Now all but one of the 21 'homeless' council pension funds have chosen their preferred pool, Phil Triggs examines how the new-look Local Government Pension Scheme took shape, the challenges for the four expanding pools, and what success and failure would look like www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
Every decade or so the Lib Dems find a moral cause to unite around - think Iraq or Brexit. This week they found their cause for the 2020s - fighting Reform. And councils will be a key part of the crusade.
My Local Government Chronicle briefing from Lib Dem conference www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
My Local Government Chronicle briefing from Lib Dem conference www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Councils are key to Lib Dem’s Reform crusade
The third party of local government has found its moral cause for the 2020s, writes deputy editor Martin George. Today’s top news and views: NEW: City
www.lgcplus.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Every decade or so the Lib Dems find a moral cause to unite around - think Iraq or Brexit. This week they found their cause for the 2020s - fighting Reform. And councils will be a key part of the crusade.
My Local Government Chronicle briefing from Lib Dem conference www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
My Local Government Chronicle briefing from Lib Dem conference www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Does local government reorganisation threaten the @libdems.org.uk traditional powerbase in local government?
September 23, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Does local government reorganisation threaten the @libdems.org.uk traditional powerbase in local government?
Of all the big issues facing council pension funds, one isn't being talked about enough by people outside the LGPS: local government reorganisation.
I've looked at the myriad issues that need to be considered as the local government map of English is redrawn www.lgcplus.com/investment/h...
I've looked at the myriad issues that need to be considered as the local government map of English is redrawn www.lgcplus.com/investment/h...
How pension funds fear being forgotten in LGR
Local government reorganisation is set to transform huge swathes of the country, but some fear that neglecting council pension funds could lead to costly mistakes. Deputy editor Martin George examines...
www.lgcplus.com
September 10, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Of all the big issues facing council pension funds, one isn't being talked about enough by people outside the LGPS: local government reorganisation.
I've looked at the myriad issues that need to be considered as the local government map of English is redrawn www.lgcplus.com/investment/h...
I've looked at the myriad issues that need to be considered as the local government map of English is redrawn www.lgcplus.com/investment/h...
Seven more 'homeless' council pension funds have announced which pool they want to join www.lgcplus.com/investment/s...
Seven LGPS funds announce preferred pool
Seven ‘homeless’ council pension funds have announced plans to join the Border to Coast pool. There are currently eight pools in the Local Government
www.lgcplus.com
August 11, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Seven more 'homeless' council pension funds have announced which pool they want to join www.lgcplus.com/investment/s...
A government email has revealed more about its thinking on the future of the 21 ‘orphan’ council pension funds www.lgcplus.com/investment/e...
Exclusive: Government rules out pension fund transition cost help | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
The government has ruled out helping council pension funds that have to move to a new pool with the “significant” costs of the transition. The 21 pensions
www.lgcplus.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
A government email has revealed more about its thinking on the future of the 21 ‘orphan’ council pension funds www.lgcplus.com/investment/e...
I don’t envy the 21 ‘orphan’ council pension funds as they try to navigate multiple moving parts while deciding which pool they want to join.
My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
3D chess in the LGPS | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Council pension funds that are seeking a new home may feel they are being forced to play a complicated game with no written rules and an unpredictable
www.lgcplus.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I don’t envy the 21 ‘orphan’ council pension funds as they try to navigate multiple moving parts while deciding which pool they want to join.
My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Advocates of Community Power are now at the centre of government, but it won't be easy to convert Whitehall to this way of working. My briefing following another inspiring #StrongerThings conference from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
The fight to put community power at heart of government | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Advocates for the approach now sit at the centre of Whitehall but may struggle to implement their vision across government, writes deputy editor Martin
www.lgcplus.com
June 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Advocates of Community Power are now at the centre of government, but it won't be easy to convert Whitehall to this way of working. My briefing following another inspiring #StrongerThings conference from @wearenewlocal.bsky.social www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Interesting: the LGPS Advisory Board expects the Government Actuary's Department "to look closely at [LGPS funds] which are relatively well funded but are also still setting relatively high contribution rates" in its next section 13 report www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
Government actuary to 'look closely' at high pension contribution rates | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Government actuaries are expected to “look closely” at council pension funds that set high employer contribution rates despite having healthy surpluses,
www.lgcplus.com
May 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Interesting: the LGPS Advisory Board expects the Government Actuary's Department "to look closely at [LGPS funds] which are relatively well funded but are also still setting relatively high contribution rates" in its next section 13 report www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
How is the government changing its Local Government Pension Scheme reform plans?
The Pensions Investment Review's final report reveals the big picture is unchanged - consolidation, powers transferred from funds to pools - but some important details have been tweaked www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
The Pensions Investment Review's final report reveals the big picture is unchanged - consolidation, powers transferred from funds to pools - but some important details have been tweaked www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
Government allows 'limited flexibility' on LGPS reform deadline | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
The government has confirmed its deadline for Local Government Pension Scheme asset pooling to be completed, but will allow "some limited flexibility
www.lgcplus.com
May 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
How is the government changing its Local Government Pension Scheme reform plans?
The Pensions Investment Review's final report reveals the big picture is unchanged - consolidation, powers transferred from funds to pools - but some important details have been tweaked www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
The Pensions Investment Review's final report reveals the big picture is unchanged - consolidation, powers transferred from funds to pools - but some important details have been tweaked www.lgcplus.com/investment/g...
Climate-sceptic Reform surged in the local elections, but @uk100.org chief exec Christopher Hammond says: "This is not a crisis in climate action – it's a manifestation of a deeper crisis in trust in Westminster and our hollowed-out institutions of government" www.lgcplus.com/politics/cli...
Christopher Hammond: Local elections climate lessons | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Even among Reform voters, a majority support policies to stop climate change, writes the chief executive of UK100. The 2025 local elections have delivered
www.lgcplus.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Climate-sceptic Reform surged in the local elections, but @uk100.org chief exec Christopher Hammond says: "This is not a crisis in climate action – it's a manifestation of a deeper crisis in trust in Westminster and our hollowed-out institutions of government" www.lgcplus.com/politics/cli...
Lots of inexperienced, anti-establishment Reform councillors will soon find themselves running complex organisations with big budgets and essential services.
What challenges does this present for councils and for Reform itself? My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
What challenges does this present for councils and for Reform itself? My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
‘Reformquake’ set to shake local government | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
The sheer number of inexperienced councillors and administrations elected on Thursday will pose challenges for councils – and Reform itself, writes deputy
www.lgcplus.com
May 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Lots of inexperienced, anti-establishment Reform councillors will soon find themselves running complex organisations with big budgets and essential services.
What challenges does this present for councils and for Reform itself? My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
What challenges does this present for councils and for Reform itself? My Local Government Chronicle briefing www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
The ACCESS pool has questioned the government's reasoning for rejecting its plan to meet the new minimum pooling requirements, and suggested that forcing its partner funds to join another pool could conflict with their fiduciary duty www.lgcplus.com/investment/a...
Access: LGPS merger plan could conflict with fiduciary duty | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
An organisation that pools the assets of 11 council pension funds has warned that government plans to force them to move to a new home could breach their
www.lgcplus.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The ACCESS pool has questioned the government's reasoning for rejecting its plan to meet the new minimum pooling requirements, and suggested that forcing its partner funds to join another pool could conflict with their fiduciary duty www.lgcplus.com/investment/a...
What next for the Local Government Pension Scheme now the government has told Access and Brunel's pension funds to find another pool?
A must read from Phil Triggs analysing where things stand and what is likely to happen next to the LGPS www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
A must read from Phil Triggs analysing where things stand and what is likely to happen next to the LGPS www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
Phil Triggs: Next steps for LGPS after pool merger shock | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Two pools and 21 council pension funds have to make fundamental decisions about their future – with profound implications for the scheme as a whole,
www.lgcplus.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
What next for the Local Government Pension Scheme now the government has told Access and Brunel's pension funds to find another pool?
A must read from Phil Triggs analysing where things stand and what is likely to happen next to the LGPS www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
A must read from Phil Triggs analysing where things stand and what is likely to happen next to the LGPS www.lgcplus.com/investment/p...
The Hull & East Yorkshire mayoral contest will be one of the most closely watched tomorrow, with Reform's boxing champion candidate now the favourite.
It means a political novice could soon find himself sitting alongside the PM at the Council of Nations and Regions www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
It means a political novice could soon find himself sitting alongside the PM at the Council of Nations and Regions www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
Reform aims for knock-out blow in Hull & East Yorkshire | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
A champion boxer who only entered politics this year has emerged as the favourite to become the first mayor of the region, reports deputy editor Martin
www.lgcplus.com
April 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The Hull & East Yorkshire mayoral contest will be one of the most closely watched tomorrow, with Reform's boxing champion candidate now the favourite.
It means a political novice could soon find himself sitting alongside the PM at the Council of Nations and Regions www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
It means a political novice could soon find himself sitting alongside the PM at the Council of Nations and Regions www.lgcplus.com/politics/dev...
Reposted
We are creating fit for purpose audit system to build a strong, stable, and empowered local government to work with us as equal partners to deliver the change the country demands. #localgov READ MORE www.lgcplus.com/finance/jim-...
Jim McMahon: We are creating fit for purpose audit system
The government’s reforms will provide a strengthened early warning system for councils facing financ...
www.lgcplus.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We are creating fit for purpose audit system to build a strong, stable, and empowered local government to work with us as equal partners to deliver the change the country demands. #localgov READ MORE www.lgcplus.com/finance/jim-...
Ministers are forcing through pool mergers in the Local Government Pension Scheme. They rejected Access and Brunel's plans for their future and want their partner funds to join other pools. Six other pools got the ministerial green light www.lgcplus.com/investment/m...
Ministers tell two LGPS pools to merge | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
The government has rejected plans for the future of two Local Government Pension Scheme pools and told their partner funds to join other pools. Access and
www.lgcplus.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Ministers are forcing through pool mergers in the Local Government Pension Scheme. They rejected Access and Brunel's plans for their future and want their partner funds to join other pools. Six other pools got the ministerial green light www.lgcplus.com/investment/m...
I've written about one of my bugbears: national campaigns for local elections www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Party leaders are infantalising voters | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
National campaign launches for local elections are a sign of our overly centralised political system, writes deputy editor Martin George. Today’s top news
www.lgcplus.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I've written about one of my bugbears: national campaigns for local elections www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Councils in the 21 two-tier areas the government has told to reorganise into unitary authorities have come up with more than 50 options for how to do it.
If these areas can't unite around a single plan, they will be handing ministers the power to decide for them www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
If these areas can't unite around a single plan, they will be handing ministers the power to decide for them www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
EXCLUSIVE: Over 50 LGR options still in play | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
The government received at least 40 separate local government reorganisation interim plan submissions, LGC analysis has found. Across these documents at
www.lgcplus.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Councils in the 21 two-tier areas the government has told to reorganise into unitary authorities have come up with more than 50 options for how to do it.
If these areas can't unite around a single plan, they will be handing ministers the power to decide for them www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
If these areas can't unite around a single plan, they will be handing ministers the power to decide for them www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
Reposted
This year marks 60 years since the creation of London's boroughs under the 1965 London Government Act. From housing to education, these 32 boroughs have shaped the capital's communities.
Here's a snapshot of how councils are celebrating this milestone.
#LondonBoroughs60
1/9
Here's a snapshot of how councils are celebrating this milestone.
#LondonBoroughs60
1/9
April 1, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This year marks 60 years since the creation of London's boroughs under the 1965 London Government Act. From housing to education, these 32 boroughs have shaped the capital's communities.
Here's a snapshot of how councils are celebrating this milestone.
#LondonBoroughs60
1/9
Here's a snapshot of how councils are celebrating this milestone.
#LondonBoroughs60
1/9
This could be controversial - the government is reviving proposals to make the political affiliation of councillors more obvious in a bid to improve public understanding of local government www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...
New rules for councillor presentation in the pipeline | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
Ministers are considering new rules that would make it easier to clearly identify a councillor’s political affiliation, LGC understands. The plans are
www.lgcplus.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:46 AM
This could be controversial - the government is reviving proposals to make the political affiliation of councillors more obvious in a bid to improve public understanding of local government www.lgcplus.com/politics/gov...