By Rose Smith, Roger Grimshaw, Renee Romeo and Martin Knapp. The families of low earners who receive prison sentences are affected disproportionately compared to higher earning income groups. The authors explored the impact on low income families and found mainstream policies such as the New Deal for Lone Parents result in a perverse effect. They identify the issues that need to be addressed to protect the hidden and innocent victims of imprisonment, particularly the welfare of children.

A new report says local councils could bring in measures to save 320 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by 2025. The report produced by the New Local Government Network with support from Kirklees Council and Serco, argues that the action would help meet the Government goal of 60 per carbon dioxide reduction 25 years earlier than the current forecast.

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Personal Travel Planning is not only encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use public transport but is also bringing value for money for local authorities, according to new research. The findings are based on studies of pilot projects in a number of towns and cities around the country.

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Senior local government officers have been challenged to take up a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to make use of greater freedom to deliver what local people want and to make tough decisions. In a speech to council chief executives, the Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, unveiled what she called a radical re-engineering of the relationship between the state and local authorities.

Read more on LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED TO TAKE UP DEVOLUTION OPPORTUNITY…