The local government finance settlement was a good start, now we need to tackle council tax inlogov.com/2026/02/17/j...

This is What Local Government Looks Like – a new 10‑minute film capturing the insights, experiences and reflections of more than 50 people working across the UK local government sector. solace.org.uk/this-is-what...

Might management apprenticeships be “streamlined” out of existence? Malcolm Press and Ann Francke warn of the economic and labour market impact of any such move wonkhe.com/blogs/cuttin...

It's not just Andy Burnham, there has long been a perception of local government as a stepping stone or training ground for national office... Phil Swann writes in the Local Government Chronicle www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...

The LARIA conference is always a highlight for inspiring examples from the world of local government research and analysis. This year looks the best yet! www.laria.org.uk/2026/01/23/l...

Why the establishment of a national school for civil servants matters theconversation.com/why-the-esta...

An excellent piece from CIPFA and the Health Foundation exploring the extent to which council spending on prevention can be quantified to inform future policy shifting from reactive to preventative services. www.cipfa.org/services/int...

Deferred local elections are not the biggest threat to our democracy inlogov.com/2026/01/16/a...

Great to see Baroness Casey recognise the unique accountability of local government and its success in modernising and managing budgets through austerity at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference today www.youtube.com/live/KiA1vmI...

Are you an INLOGOV alumni? If so, you should have received our latest e-mag last month which includes updates on some of our latest research. Please let me know if you haven't received your copy and we'll sort it!

Restoring councillor pensions is a good step, but we need much more to increase the attractiveness of the role, argues Chris Game inlogov.com/2025/12/16/f...

How "burdensome" is our tax system? Chris Game argues time the Chancellor should modify her ‘burden’ references and we need a positive buzzword/phrase to substitute for ‘tax burden’? inlogov.com/2025/12/05/j...

Local Government in the Czech Republic During Two Recent Crises "alongside reform for efficiency and scale, we need to invest in robust governance - in communication, trust, community capacity, and strong vertical relationships between central and local government" inlogov.com/2025/11/28/l...

📢 🆕 blog post from Dr. Nicolai De Wulf and Prof. Dr. Joris Voets 'Crisis management in cities: how politicians and public servants worked together during the Ukrainian refugee reception', published by @inlogov.bsky.social (The Institute of Local Government Studies) inlogov.com/2025/11/18/c...

Developing authority starts with self-leadership, the inner work of noticing what is being projected into us, what emotions we are carrying on behalf of the wider system. It asks for a disciplined curiosity about anxiety inlogov.com/2025/11/21/a...

How do politics and administration work together when everything is urgent? For practitioners, the message is clear: invest in relationships between political and administrative leaders before the next crisis hits. inlogov.com/2025/11/18/c...

Central government interventions should minimise the suspension of local democracy, do as little damage as possible to the public’s trust in their local council, and foster good local democratic political leadership. inlogov.com/2025/11/04/i...

Hugely excited by the trailer and upcoming launch of "This is What Local Government looks like" by SOLACE. A timely reminder of the great work councils do and the contribution of everyone who works in the sector. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf79...

Public sector investment on prevention can for the first time be mapped and measured using an approach developed by CIPFA and supported by The Health Foundation. Inlogov's director was part of the Preventative Investment Reference Group for this work. www.cipfa.org/-/media/File...

Inlogov's Director, Jason Lowther, joined Mo Baines (Chief Executive of APSE) and Rebecca Davis (Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers), to discuss Data, Devolution and the Future of Local Government on the new "The Pulse" podcast. wmemployers.org.uk/the-pulse/po...

‘Place Funding: The Local Authority Challenge’ is a fast-paced simulation game that puts players in the role of councils to explore how decisions around place-based funding get made, and the trade-offs involved. www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/place...

From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Birmingham Can Lead the Way in Participatory Governance We are delighted to publish this new blog and report by Sonia Bussu and Susana Higueras. inlogov.com/2025/10/17/f...

If you’re a councillor – or you work in a role supporting councillors – come and join us in Andover on 4 November to hear more about our latest research. You’ll also hear from the LGC about their new campaign to support councillors. Click here to register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/21st-centu...

Future central government intervention should minimise the suspension of local democracy, do as little damage as possible to the public’s trust in their local council, and foster good local democratic political leadership. www.themj.co.uk/damage-democ...

Our new article in The Conversation asks: Can Labour’s plan to fund deprived communities see off Reform? Abigail Taylor and Alice Pugh (City-REDI) with Jason Lowther (Inlogov). theconversation.com/can-labours-...

Thanks to the Municipal Journal for publishing my piece with Sonia Bussu examining how councillors can foster democratic innovations to bridge the gap between citizens and institutions. www.themj.co.uk/renewing-dem...

We're excited to offer this new short course on leadership in place-based growth. inlogov.com/2025/10/13/n...

Our piece in The Conversation today examines the government's new Pride in Place strategy. Youth engagement and citizen participation are positive aspects but the plan falls short in addressing economic disadvantages such as skills, employment and housing. theconversation.com/can-labours-...

Our piece in The Conversation today examines the government's new Pride in Place strategy. Youth engagement and citizen participation are positive aspects but the plan falls short in addressing economic disadvantages such as skills, employment and housing. theconversation.com/can-labours-...

Democratic innovations, such as citizens’ assemblies, or creative methods of participation, are gaining traction. These innovations offer new ways to engage communities and strengthen democratic legitimacy. But how do they fit with the role of elected councillors? inlogov.com/2025/10/07/r...

What is "fair"? From equity to efficiency, 17 councillors revealed 2,000+ conceptions of fairness across eight “Realms.” Christopher Stevens explores the moral logic behind local decision-making inlogov.com/2025/09/26/p...

Even experienced researchers, accountants and councillors struggle to get their head around council finances. What chance do the public have? inlogov.com/2025/09/17/o...

Since May, Reform has lost 11 councillors and 2 MPs. Chris Game explores what's been happening. inlogov.com/2025/08/01/d...

Insightful analysis from @catherineneedham.bsky.social‬ and colleagues on England's two tier care system www.bmj.com/content/390/...

Excellent piece by Ross Millar of HSMC on the new NHS 10-year Plan. Asks challenging questions including how the plan will realise the ‘cross-societal energy on prevention? www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/ve...

The Party's Over What happens when political parties fail and die? New research from the Netherlands reveals some key issues. inlogov.com/2025/07/03/u...

Looking forward to day 3 of #LGAConf25 - pop along to stand A24 to chat about our latest research, last chance entry to the levy-funded Senior Leader programme, and our policy proposals on citizen engagement. And pick up a 21C councillor coaster!

We're set up at #LGAConf25 - please pop over to stand A24 to say hello! This year we're focussing on citizen engagement, updated 21st Century Councillor and Public Servant research, and the last chance to levy-fund our Senior Leader apprenticeship.

The amazing Wales Centre for Public Policy is seeking to recruit an 18 month fellowship who will lead a project supporting What Works Centres (WWCs) to develop and capture their impact on policy and practice. www.ukri.org/wp-content/u...

@swannphil.bsky.social‬ examines what happened to Missions in the spending review? inlogov.com/2025/06/26/t...

Chris Game reflects on the local elections, the arrival of DOGE teams in English councils, and voting systems inlogov.com/2025/06/10/w...

So excited to announce our new BSc programme on Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy starting in September. Helping to create the next generation of policy professionals integrating technical AI skills with comprehensive public policy expertise. www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/underg...

Do we need yet another body to help local government harness the potential of AI? Dr Caroline Webb, Dr Stephen Jeffares, and Dr Tarsem Singh Cooner discuss the recent Tony Blair Institute report. inlogov.com/2025/05/27/d...

“Magic Notes” promises to save social workers a day a week. But who’s checking the spellbook ? 🧙‍♂️✨ AI in local government needs more than hype — it needs scrutiny. 🧵 Our take on the case for (and against) a Devolved AI Service: inlogov.com/2025/05/27/d...

We are recruiting a Research Fellow for my work on local government research culture with the NIHR-funded Sandwell Health Determinants Research Collaborative. This is a 6 month post. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMY964/r...

How do neighbourhood environments affect perceptions? Public lecture on 17th June at UoB inlogov.com/2025/05/12/h...

Fascinating and illuminating research on the upcoming Parish and Town Council elections from @democracyclub.org.uk supported by the National Association of Local Councils. democracyclub.org.uk/blog/2025/04...

As ministers cull hundreds to arm’s-length "QUANGO" organisations that between them spend about £353bn of public money, Chris Game muses on The Etymology of Quangos. inlogov.com/2025/04/14/t...

INLOGOV alumni - if you didn't receive your Spring e-mag last month, you can now find it online! www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gove...

In our latest blog, Jon Bright asks: in tackling social problems, why don't we do "what works"? inlogov.com/2025/04/07/t...