@jacktshaw.bsky.social
Director of Groundwork Research and Policy Fellow, The Productivity Institute.
Devolution, local government, regional inequalities, homelessness, public service reform, industrial strategy, housing.
Devolution, local government, regional inequalities, homelessness, public service reform, industrial strategy, housing.
One detail I missed in the Local Government Finance Policy Statement this week: the Government will review whether sales, fees and charges can be devolved.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29
www.gov.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
One detail I missed in the Local Government Finance Policy Statement this week: the Government will review whether sales, fees and charges can be devolved.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is consulting on the 17 proposals it has recieved for local government re-organisation. The consultations run until 11 January 2026:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is consulting on the 17 proposals it has recieved for local government re-organisation. The consultations run until 11 January 2026:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Police and Crime Commissioners will be abolished in 2028. Responsibilities will go to strategic authorities where they exist or Police and Crime Boards where they do not:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Police and Crime Commissioners will be abolished in 2028. Responsibilities will go to strategic authorities where they exist or Police and Crime Boards where they do not:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
I've written for The Productivity Institute about the 'zonification' of place-based economic policy.
Over the past decade we’ve seen the “rise of the Mayor” — with strategic authorities taking more responsibility for shaping local economies.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/the-rol...
Over the past decade we’ve seen the “rise of the Mayor” — with strategic authorities taking more responsibility for shaping local economies.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/the-rol...
The role of place and the ‘zonification’ of growth - The Productivity Institute
Jack Shaw examines the role of place and the ‘zonification’ of growth in relation to Reeves' strategy.
www.productivity.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I've written for The Productivity Institute about the 'zonification' of place-based economic policy.
Over the past decade we’ve seen the “rise of the Mayor” — with strategic authorities taking more responsibility for shaping local economies.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/the-rol...
Over the past decade we’ve seen the “rise of the Mayor” — with strategic authorities taking more responsibility for shaping local economies.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/the-rol...
A number of interesting amendments to the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill submitted by Members of Parliament.
Should the Government establish a recall process for councillors that breach the Code of Conduct?
Should the Government establish a recall process for councillors that breach the Code of Conduct?
November 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A number of interesting amendments to the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill submitted by Members of Parliament.
Should the Government establish a recall process for councillors that breach the Code of Conduct?
Should the Government establish a recall process for councillors that breach the Code of Conduct?
The Local Government Association has published its Autumn Budget submission:
www.local.gov.uk/parliament/b...
www.local.gov.uk/parliament/b...
Autumn Budget 2025: LGA submission
Demonstrating the support and value that councils can provide to UK Government in delivering the objectives of the Autumn Budget 2025.
www.local.gov.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Local Government Association has published its Autumn Budget submission:
www.local.gov.uk/parliament/b...
www.local.gov.uk/parliament/b...
Shropshire has announced that is has requested Exceptional Financial Support.
October 29, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Shropshire has announced that is has requested Exceptional Financial Support.
The Government has issued a statement on local government re-organisation in Surrey.
Both proposals met the criteria, but the Government has chosen two unitaries - East Surrey and West Surrey - rather than three. Government will re-pay £500 million of Woking's debt in 2026-27:
Both proposals met the criteria, but the Government has chosen two unitaries - East Surrey and West Surrey - rather than three. Government will re-pay £500 million of Woking's debt in 2026-27:
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The Government has issued a statement on local government re-organisation in Surrey.
Both proposals met the criteria, but the Government has chosen two unitaries - East Surrey and West Surrey - rather than three. Government will re-pay £500 million of Woking's debt in 2026-27:
Both proposals met the criteria, but the Government has chosen two unitaries - East Surrey and West Surrey - rather than three. Government will re-pay £500 million of Woking's debt in 2026-27:
Kent County Council is requesting that a portion of income from Dartford Crossing be allocated to it and that it is considering introducing a tax on "foreign freight", which should be hypothecated for fixing potholes.
October 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Kent County Council is requesting that a portion of income from Dartford Crossing be allocated to it and that it is considering introducing a tax on "foreign freight", which should be hypothecated for fixing potholes.
I wrote about local authorities run by Reform UK for Renewal Journal earlier this year.
Given the challenges facing Kent County Council, this feels pertinent:
Given the challenges facing Kent County Council, this feels pertinent:
October 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I wrote about local authorities run by Reform UK for Renewal Journal earlier this year.
Given the challenges facing Kent County Council, this feels pertinent:
Given the challenges facing Kent County Council, this feels pertinent:
There is evidence that local authorities aren't using their Community Infrastructure Levy contributions. Striking that by December 2024 - as the Public Accounts Committee reports - 17 per cent haven't even published their Infrastructure Funding Statement from 2022-23:
October 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
There is evidence that local authorities aren't using their Community Infrastructure Levy contributions. Striking that by December 2024 - as the Public Accounts Committee reports - 17 per cent haven't even published their Infrastructure Funding Statement from 2022-23:
The Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights today that should Referendum Principles be set higher and local authorities were to increase council tax by 1 per cent more than expected, it'd raised £500 million in 2029-30. Presumably a tad shy of that over the next three years.
October 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The Institute for Fiscal Studies highlights today that should Referendum Principles be set higher and local authorities were to increase council tax by 1 per cent more than expected, it'd raised £500 million in 2029-30. Presumably a tad shy of that over the next three years.
The rate of Exceptional Financial Support fell in 2025-26 following a sustained increase. Three pertinent questions:
1. Will it continue to fall in 2026-27? If so, that'd be a significant achievement for the Government.
1. Will it continue to fall in 2026-27? If so, that'd be a significant achievement for the Government.
October 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The rate of Exceptional Financial Support fell in 2025-26 following a sustained increase. Three pertinent questions:
1. Will it continue to fall in 2026-27? If so, that'd be a significant achievement for the Government.
1. Will it continue to fall in 2026-27? If so, that'd be a significant achievement for the Government.
That local authorities are using reserves at an unsustainable rate is well understood, but the specific dimensions of that aren't. For example, the Institute for Government's new Performance Tracker highlights that LAs are drawing on reserves consistently, in higher numbers:
October 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
That local authorities are using reserves at an unsustainable rate is well understood, but the specific dimensions of that aren't. For example, the Institute for Government's new Performance Tracker highlights that LAs are drawing on reserves consistently, in higher numbers:
Reading the amendments tabled to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill under consideration by the Bill Committee.
Protecting green spaces is important, but should strategic authorities really have oversight over allotments? I suspect it'll be withdrawn.
Protecting green spaces is important, but should strategic authorities really have oversight over allotments? I suspect it'll be withdrawn.
October 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reading the amendments tabled to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill under consideration by the Bill Committee.
Protecting green spaces is important, but should strategic authorities really have oversight over allotments? I suspect it'll be withdrawn.
Protecting green spaces is important, but should strategic authorities really have oversight over allotments? I suspect it'll be withdrawn.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its Devolution Annual Report for 2024-25. It includes a helpful list of devolved functions for strategic authorities:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Secretary of State’s Annual Report on English Devolution 2024-25
www.gov.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its Devolution Annual Report for 2024-25. It includes a helpful list of devolved functions for strategic authorities:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The Government has launched a consultation today on the Local Government Pensions Scheme - including whether the roles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor and Member of the London Assembly should be eligible to access it:
October 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The Government has launched a consultation today on the Local Government Pensions Scheme - including whether the roles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor and Member of the London Assembly should be eligible to access it:
Council tax is broken to such a degree, that even properties sold for the same price have significantly varying council taxes:
October 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Council tax is broken to such a degree, that even properties sold for the same price have significantly varying council taxes:
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. It's focus is on urban policy.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of the UK and The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, on Urban Policy
www.gov.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. It's focus is on urban policy.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The answer? Yes. According to Reform UK, 20 councillors have defected to them during Conservative Party Conference alone.
This morning Reform UK announced nine defections from the Conservatives in Bournemouth, Rushcliffe, Gravesham, East Riding, Hertsmere and South Kesteven. The London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge also left the Conservatives for Reform UK last week. Will it continue?
October 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The answer? Yes. According to Reform UK, 20 councillors have defected to them during Conservative Party Conference alone.
This morning Reform UK announced nine defections from the Conservatives in Bournemouth, Rushcliffe, Gravesham, East Riding, Hertsmere and South Kesteven. The London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge also left the Conservatives for Reform UK last week. Will it continue?
October 7, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This morning Reform UK announced nine defections from the Conservatives in Bournemouth, Rushcliffe, Gravesham, East Riding, Hertsmere and South Kesteven. The London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge also left the Conservatives for Reform UK last week. Will it continue?
The Government has published the Prospectus - and the allocations - for the Pride in Place Fund: www.gov.uk/government/p...
Pride in Place Impact Fund: prospectus
www.gov.uk
October 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Government has published the Prospectus - and the allocations - for the Pride in Place Fund: www.gov.uk/government/p...
On the re-organisation of local authorities, last week the final proposals were submitted. Essex has submitted four proposals, as have Sussex and Hampshire. Norfolk has submitted three and Suffolk has submitted two. Decisions are expected in March 2026.
October 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
On the re-organisation of local authorities, last week the final proposals were submitted. Essex has submitted four proposals, as have Sussex and Hampshire. Norfolk has submitted three and Suffolk has submitted two. Decisions are expected in March 2026.
The Pride in Place Programme - announced today - has published its allocations.
At first glance, I think £3.5 billion of the £5 billion is new - mooted in the Spending Review - and £1.5 billion is from the Long-Term Plan for Towns that has been previously announced.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
At first glance, I think £3.5 billion of the £5 billion is new - mooted in the Spending Review - and £1.5 billion is from the Long-Term Plan for Towns that has been previously announced.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Pride in Place Programme phase 2: methodology note
www.gov.uk
September 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The Pride in Place Programme - announced today - has published its allocations.
At first glance, I think £3.5 billion of the £5 billion is new - mooted in the Spending Review - and £1.5 billion is from the Long-Term Plan for Towns that has been previously announced.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
At first glance, I think £3.5 billion of the £5 billion is new - mooted in the Spending Review - and £1.5 billion is from the Long-Term Plan for Towns that has been previously announced.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
I've written in The MJ with Patrick Diamond about London devolution.
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger devo can solve the London problem
Before Labour entered Downing Street in July last year, the Conservatives had a fractious relationship with London's mayor. The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps,...
www.themj.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I've written in The MJ with Patrick Diamond about London devolution.
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...
Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...