Government Business | Business information for local and central government

Mayor of London announces "Summer Streets" fund

The Mayor of London has announced a Summer Streets fund, designed to boost al fresco dining and extend opening hours for pubs, restaurants and venues.
The fund will be delivered in partnership with councils across the city to support restaurants, cafes, small nightlife venues, pubs and other businesses.
Hospitality, leisure and tourism in London accounts for one in ten jobs and generates more than £46 billion every year. Five million tourists are expected to visit London this summer.

Scottish Government launches fund to prevent homelessness

The Scottish Government has announced a new partnership programme to help prevent people from becoming homeless.
The £1 million Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund will bring together Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), third sector organisations, community groups and other local partners to expand on existing successful approaches to preventing homelessness.
Partnerships funded by the programme a cash fund for individual payments of up to £1,300 to help prevent people becoming homeless.

The rise of the FM analyst: why facilities management needs a data revolution

As public sector facilities face increasing demands for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability, facilities management is undergoing a data-driven transformation. Dr. Matt Tucker, director of research at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), explores why the sector needs a data revolution and introduces the emerging concept of the FM Analyst.

Facilities Management

Built to last? Why retrofit must be done right

As the UK races to improve the energy efficiency of its ageing housing stock, retrofit measures such as cavity wall, external wall, and spray foam insulation offer potential benefits -- but can also bring unitended consequnces, including damp, mould, and structural damage. This article by the Property Care Association (PCA) explores why careful planning and expert oversight are essential to ensure retrofits deliver on their promises without creating new problems

Housing

Government transformation: why leadership and people strategy must be at the core

As the UK public sector faces ongoing transformation, Pam Parkes, president of the PPMA, argues that success will depend not just on structures and strategies, but on leadership, culture, and a people-first approach -- and that HR must be central to driving meaningful, sustainable change

Scotland announces cost of living guarantee

Scottish first minister John Swinney has announced that the government's cost of living guarantee will help to deliver vital support for the people of Scotland.
The cost of living guarantee includes lower income tax than in England for the majority of workers; ontinuation of free prescriptions and free eye appointments; a free bus travel for 2.3 million people.
Scottish undergraduate students will continue to pay no tuition fees and funded childcare hours are available which would otherwise cost families more than £6,000 a year per eligible child.

Government announces end to overseas recruitment for care workers

The government has announced plans to end international recruitment for care workers.
The government is due to publish and Immigration White Paper on Monday, which will document the changes the government is planning to take to bring down migration.
The Home Office revealed in March that over 470 care providers had had their licence to sponsor international staff suspended since 2022. The government has said that many care workers from overseas are subject to abuse and exploitation.

LGA Political Proportionality confirmed after local elections

Following last week's local elections, the political proportionality of the Local Government Association (LGA) has been confirmed.
The data has been calculated and independently verified.
The Labour Group is still the largest group at the LGA (35.9 per cent), which means they will retain the chair position.
The Conservatives have 24.1 per cent and Liberal Democrats 17 per cent. Despite positive results last week, Reform are in fifth position on 7.8 per cent, behind Independents on 10.2 per cent.

Pothole repairs to begin on major Welsh roads

A £25 million road refurbishment programme is set to begin, funding 22 projects across Wales’ strategic road network.
The work is due to repair more than 100km of road and fix and prevent around 30,000 potholes.
This set of work is separate to the tens of thousands of potholes that are set to be fixed through a local government borrowing initiative, announced in March, enabling councils to unlock £120m of funding to accelerate repairs on local roads.