This week’s Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group opened with two subjects that, on the surface, might have looked separate, but quickly proved to be deeply connected. Malcolm Gardner framed the session around a practical question for local government: what happens when immediate hardship on the ground meets a wider economic shock that is still only…
Category: General
The Stagflation Trap: Why the UK’s Cost-of-Living Crisis is Making a Dangerous Return
For a fleeting moment in early 2026, the UK appeared to have escaped the gravity of the inflation crisis. Households finally saw a window of relief as energy forecasts dipped and the Bank of England signaled a return to target. That window has slammed shut, replaced by a “Stagflation Trap” triggered by escalating Middle East…
Briefing note: fiscal and economic context and what it means for local tax, welfare support and local government finance (March 2026)
Purpose To set out a single, joined up view of the national economic and fiscal outlook, and the practical implications for council tax, council tax reduction (CTR), local welfare support (including DHP and crisis type schemes), benefits and social security, business rates, housing, local government finance, and local government reorganisation (LGR). This note draws on…
Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group: Crisis funding, pub relief, and the admin reality
Meeting summary for 2 February 2026 Who contributed Participants referenced in the transcript included: malcolm Gardner (chair), Naomi Armstrong, Nicki Duckworth, Kirsty Brooksmith (H&F), Gareth Morgan, Michael Fisher, Robert Fox, Paul Howarth, Sean O’Sullivan, Kevin Stewart, Elizabeth Whitehead-Davies, Rachael Walker. What we discussed The discussion ranged from immediate funding and relief changes that will land…
Crisis and Resilience Fund: a new pot, an old problem
On 26 January 2026, the Independent Revenues and Benefits Monday Discussion Group focused mainly on the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, with a closing round of linked updates on digital delivery, WorkWell, and a developing Council Tax Reduction legal challenge. Independent R&B Monday Discussi… Malcolm Gardner opened by setting out the central tension in the…
Happy New Year, and second mid-break update.
Happy new year to you all, and I hope 2026 is a fantastic and exciting year. Ah yes, LGR, local elections, and a fresh dose of Donald Trump inspired international chaos. Come back 2025, all is forgiven. This is a second update on what has been happening while we have been stuffing our faces with…
Season’s Greetings and a Quick Round Up from the Monday Discussion Group
Season’s greetings from everyone at Visionary Network and the Revenues and Benefits Discussion Group. As we wrap up for Christmas, we wanted to share a quick look back at the themes we have covered recently, and a look ahead to what is coming next. Over the past few weeks, our sessions and briefing pack have…
Budget, Benefits and the Future of Local Support: Highlights from the Monday Discussion Group
The latest Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group opened with Malcolm Gardner welcoming regulars and new faces and acknowledging that, while few people were genuinely excited by the Budget, it was bound to dominate the conversation. Around the virtual table were, among others, Paul Howarth, Alex Clegg, Gareth Morgan, Naomi Armstrong, Bob Wagstaff, Michael Fisher, James…
Monday Discussion Group: Budget Expectations, Council Tax Premiums, Fraud Pressures and Deprivation Indices
Summary of participant views – 24 November 2025 This week’s Monday Discussion Group opened with a sense of déjà vu. With the Budget only days away, Malcolm Gardner remarked that most of its contents seemed to have been pre-announced, leaving little mystery for Wednesday. Paul Howarth agreed, noting that Budget leaks usually reflect firm Treasury…
Monday Discussion Group: Understanding Deprivation, Data and the Realities Facing Local Government
This week’s Independent R&B Monday Discussion Group gathered to explore the newly released English Indices of Deprivation, with a lively and often sobering conversation ranging from coastal poverty to housing costs, data-sharing barriers and the rising strain on councils. Malcolm Gardner welcomed attendees and introduced the focus for the day. With the Budget only two…