Front cover of the "Additional revenue streams/sources of funding for the delivery of local government services" report

We must build public support for reform of local government finances

Yesterday, I spoke at the launch of the Reid Foundation’s report on financing local government at the STUC Annual Congress in Dundee. Mike Danson (co-author of the report), Lilian Macer (UNISON Scotland convenor), David Ross (Fife Council Co-Leader) and I…

Edinburgh Council takes principled stance against Workfare

I am delighted that today, Edinburgh Council supported my call to reject the Westminster government’s Workfare (Mandatory Work Activity) schemes as unjust, immoral and counterproductive. I put forward a motion arguing that the Council should have no part in forced…

Why we need a more participatory and inclusive approach to local politics

At last week’s full council meeting I had two motions up for debate. One in support of participatory budgeting (PB) as a means of deciding 1% of the Council’s discretionary revenue budget, and the second seeking information about setting up…