LGA Labour Group nEw

 

Rose aloneRt Hon John Denham MP, Speech to LG Group Annual Conference

On Thursday 8 July 2010 Rt Hon John Denham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, gave a speech to the LG Group Annual Conference in Bournemouth.

Rose aloneOpposition Day Debate: Local Government Financing

An Opposition Day Debate was held on 29 June on Local Government Financing - the £1.165bn of cuts to local services part of the £6bn cuts package.

Press ReleaseToday’s Budget may be an appetising starter – but just wait for the main course

Responding to today’s Budget, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said: “The Chancellor stated today that there would be nothing hidden in the small print of his Budget. He has announced a few headline measures that appear to meet his claims of fairness, but upon closer inspection it is clear that the measures are an attack on the poorest by stealth.

Press ReleaseFree swimming takes a dive

Labour local government today condemned the Tory-Lib Dem Government’s decision to end free swimming in public pools for under 16s and over 60s from 1st July.

Press ReleaseCuts to local government make a mockery of Cameron’s claim that "we’re all in this together"

The Tory Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has today announced a raft of cuts to local government totalling £1.165bn. The cuts have been made from funding streams within the Area Based Grant, which is targeted at councils in areas with high levels of deprivation, not from the councils’ formula grant.

Press ReleaseWhat price localism

With just over three weeks in office, the ConDem Coalition has already called into question its proclaimed belief in localism in three different policy areas, claims Sir Jeremy Beecham Leader of the LGA Labour Group.

Press Release‘LGA Labour Group warns against complacency in the fight against the BNP’

The successes against the BNP in Barking and Stoke in the General Election have created a sense that the tide is turning against the BNP. But these high-profile victories hide a murkier picture in which the BNP actually grew in popularity. Today Labour councillors warn that the biggest threat now in the fight against the BNP is complacency.

Press Release“Queen’s Speech marginalises councils”

Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said, “Proposals in the Queen’s Speech on education and referendums on council tax increases confirm fears that under the guise of localism the ConDem Coalition is bent on marginalizing councils and councillors.”

Press Release“Osborne’s cuts take us back to the future”

Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s leader in local government, denounced the cuts on local council budgets announced today by the Chancellor George Osborne. The Tory-Lib Dem Coalition’s £6.25bn cuts package includes measures to reduce grants to local authorities by £1.165bn in the financial year 2010-11.

Press ReleaseThe Coalition deal is a serious threat to local government

Cameron and Clegg have today outlined the full details behind the Coalition deal. Responding to the announcement, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said, “Behind warm words about local government in The Coalition's programme lie serious threats to its role.

Press ReleaseCameron and Clegg By-Pass Local Government

Responding to Cameron-Clegg’s Big Society speech today, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Leader of the LGA Labour Group said “The Tory-Lib Dem coalition has effectively by-passed local government in today's Big Society Launch.

Rose aloneLocal Labour’s election success shows our strength in communities across the country

In the context of ambiguous national election results, Labour’s performance locally has been a tremendous success, and demonstrates our strength in communities across the country.

Press ReleaseCalling all Labour councillors

Would you like to become involved with the LGA Labour group? If so, the group is inviting self-nominations for various Labour positions on the LGA's boards, panels and commissions for 2010/2011.

Press Release115 Labour council leaders announce radical new plans to protect frontline services ahead of the elections

Today 115 Labour council leaders across England and Wales have announced they will become Co-operative Councils, by signing a radical charter to protect frontline services

Press ReleaseCo-operative Councils Mission Statement from Local Labour

In the wake of the financial crisis, and as we face what is likely to be the toughest public spending round for councils in recent memory – we believe that there has never been a time in which co-operative values and principles have been more important

Press ReleaseSir Jeremy Beecham challenges LGA Conservatives on Cameron’s proposals to identify individual local government pay packages

David Cameron has announced a raft of requirements for local councils to follow, including the publication of all individual items of public expenditure over £500, publish every procurement contract they sign and publish online the details of all local government staff pay packages over a threshold of around £60,000.

Press ReleaseCllr David Sparks has been elected as the new Leader Elect of the LGA Labour Group.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said: "I am delighted to welcome Councillor David Sparks as Leader Elect of the LGA Labour Group.

Press ReleaseLabour Government’s action ensures no lost generations from this recession

The LGA has announced that councils are using the Government’s Future Jobs Fund to help create up to 40,000 jobs, either directly or with other local employers.

Press ReleaseSir Jeremy Beecham responds to Daily Express attack on recipients of welfare benefits

Sir Jeremy Beecham, Leader of the Labour Group at the Local Government Association, responds to article in the Daily Express

Rose aloneLGA Labour Group leadership election

Sir Jeremy Beecham has today announced his intention to stand down as leader of the Labour Group, effective July 2010.

Press ReleaseSir Jeremy Beecham calls for stronger partnership between councils and third sector

Speaking at the 10th Annual Compact meeting, LGA Vice Chairman Sir Jeremy Beecham welcomed the refreshed National Compact between the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).

Rose aloneLGA Labour Group – Leadership election

Nominations for the leadership have opened today, Monday 23 November 2009.

Sir Jeremy BeechamJeremy Beecham to stand down in July 2010

Sir Jeremy has today announced that he will not be seeking re-election as Leader of the LGA Labour Group, or as Vice Chairman of the Association, at its next annual meeting in July 2010.

Rose aloneLGA Conference - ward budgets session

Read the write up of our session on ward budgets, addressed by local government minister, Rosie Winterton MP. 7 July 09

putting fairness firstPutting fairness first

Read the local Labour manifesto for a new term.

Press ReleaseLocal Tories must stand up to Cameron on policy

Following the Tory spring conference, Sir Jeremy Beecham calls on Tory councillors to speak out. 27 April 2009

Press ReleaseToday's Labour Budget for jobs puts the Tories to shame

The LGA Labour Group responds to the Chancellor's announcement on jobs in the 2009 Budget. 22 April 2009

Press ReleaseLabour must take unprecedented action in challenging times

Harriet Harman speaks to the LGA Labour Group spring conference. 18 April 2009

Rose aloneNew opportunities: fair chances for the future

The LGA Labour Group response to the white paper on tackling socio-economic disadvantage. 20 March 2009

Press ReleaseLabour acts swiftly to provide real help to council tenants

Following intervention from the LGA Labour Group, council rents will be lower than planned this year. 6 March 2009

Photo of Sir Jeremy BeechamCentralising truth of Tory localism

Sir Jeremy Beecham writes for the Guardian on the Tories' green paper on localism. 19 February 2009

Press ReleaseCameron rejects Thatcher's legacy, but gives false hope to communities

Sir Jeremy Beecham responds to the Tory green paper on local government. 17 February 2009.

Press Release‘Labour takes the initiative on housing’

Housing Minister John Healey has today announced a far reaching new deal to give councils the freedom to fund and run their council homes, without central Government subsidy.