Local Government Intelligence
David Cameron became the first Prime Minister to address a Local Government Conference today in Birmingham where he told delegates that they are “doing a brilliant job in challenging circumstances” while facing “tough decisions in the weeks and months ahead”. Localism reform is “one of the most exciting things we’re doing in government”, he said, adding that “people power” would be taken to a new stage with decision making devolving from councils to neighbourhoods to communities to individuals. There will be “a new relationship between central and local government” - “we’re giving you the power and you’re getting things done”.
His speech was, however, dominated by the issue of public sector pension reform where he was at pains to reassure delegates that the defined benefit system would remain and pensions already built up will be protected - “what you have earned, you will keep”. The current system “is in danger of going broke” so reform is essential but the proposals are fair to other tax payers as well as public sector workers, he said.