New Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hilary Benn MP spoke exclusively to ProgLoc outside Portcullis house today (see video).

He spoke of how local government is going through a really tough time – and how the cuts are unfair and impacting disproportionately on the most deprived areas. He said Pickles [...]

Responsibility for Public Health provision in England is moving from the NHS to Local Government – “Halleluiah” I hear some say – public health is on its way home – back to where it was located before 1974.

The move is welcomed by many public health professionals.  The changes are a move towards greater localism [...]

Most Local Councillors or youth workers will ruefully sigh and nod at the response when talking to young people or their parents; “there’s nothing to do round here” or “nothing gets put on for kids round here.”

In Oval Ward, London Borough of Lambeth, sitting on the river Thames in Central London the reality [...]

Subject: A New Progressive Localism

Dear Hilary,

Congratulations!  Welcome to the shadow Communities and Local Government brief.

As Labour’s leading Westminster voice for our sector, you have a great opportunity to help forge a new progressive vision for Labour in local government.

Working with our great Labour leaders, cabinets and councillors around the country, [...]

Although Michael Heseltine isn’t who you might expect to be one of the first visitors to a newly elected Labour council. His visit to the North East as part of the regional growth fund roadshow meant that he was one of the first dignitaries I welcomed as new leader of Newcastle City Council.

He [...]

Nearly two months have passed since the riots tore though the heart of Tottenham, causing the loss of 45 buildings from our High Rd. This physical loss doesn’t even begin to quantify the impact on homes, businesses and most of all the community.

Many have been quick to jump to conclusions as to cause and [...]

I gather responsibilities are still being worked out, but the new shadow team looks like this:

A big welcome to new Shadow Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP.

Shadow Ministers:
Jack Dromey MP
Helen Jones MP
Roberta Blackman-Woods MP
Chris Williamson MP

We all knew what would be the main course served in Eric Pickles’ conference banquet – weekly bin collections for our chicken tikka masala remnants.

It’s what was missing from his rather lean speech that left many of us feeling unfulfilled and hungry for answers.

If you’re into rubbish, it was a [...]