Policy articles and commentary
Analysis, discussion summaries and practical commentary from people working close to policy and delivery.
When Reform UK swept to power in several county councils earlier this year, Nigel Farage hailed their victories as a “tectonic shift in British politics.” Kent, in particular, became the test bed for what…
Read articleIt was a damp Yorkshire morning when Malcolm Gardner opened the latest Independent Revenues & Benefits Monday Discussion Group, musing that his wife had suggested mowing the grass in the drizzle — a comment…
Read articleThe Independent Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group met on 6 October 2025, where we covered everything from conferences and the new Trafford case to the joys of AI fraud investigators. Sadly, due to technical…
Read articleThe Independent Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group on 22 September 2025 centred on the High Court’s decision to quash Trafford Council’s council tax reduction (CTR) scheme. While members acknowledged the unlawful process and flawed…
Read articleAt the latest Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group, chaired by Malcolm Gardner, members took a deep dive into the stubborn issue of unclaimed benefits, the challenges of Universal Credit, and the shifting dynamics of…
Read articleThe Independent Revenues & Benefits Monday Discussion Group was back on 8 September, with Malcolm Gardner welcoming everyone after the summer break. Smiles all round, though the mood paused for a moment as Malcolm…
Read articleThe Appointment and Departmental Restructure Keir Starmer’s September 2025 reshuffle, following Angela Rayner’s resignation, created one of the most significant departmental shifts of his premiership. Pat McFadden MP (Wolverhampton South East) has been appointed…
Read article1 September 2025 We’re on our summer pause, so instead of a live session this week we’ve shared the second mid-break slide pack. It’s a chance to catch up on what’s happening across revenues…
Read articleThere is no session this week as the summer break continues on the meantime here is a summary of what has been happening over the last two weeks. The group will return on Monday…
Read articleThe Independent Revenues & Benefits Discussion Group convened for its final session before the summer break on 4 August 2025, bringing together a wide range of voices to reflect on the pressures facing local…
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