From day one of this Labour Government, ministers have been clear that fairness and fiscal stability is at the heart of our Plan for Change, and the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget represents a hopeful step for communities across the country.
This could have been a consequential period for local government finance.
The Chancellor has finally decided to abolish the two-child benefit cap.
As we look towards the LGA Independent Group Annual Conference 2026, our theme – ‘Resilience for councillors, community and place’ – could not be more timely.
As we approach the end of the year, the LGA’s Reform UK Group – with only a few months under its belt – has carried out much of the good work it set out to do in September.
Every council in England knows that local government is at the coalface of the housing crisis in our country.
I am writing this after a busy, but very enjoyable, Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
It’s a breath of fresh air to have a government take our role seriously and value councillors’ work – sometimes, anyway!
As I reach the 100-day milestone, I feel humbled and privileged to have been entrusted to represent you as Leader of the LGA’s Independent Group.
September marked the formal establishment of the Reform UK Group Office at the LGA. That milestone was about presence – ensuring our councillors had a seat at the table. The next stage is about influence.