One of the systemic issues is the disconnect between local taxation and the levels of service in things that many people use and notice. Such a high proportion of local councils’ spending now goes on… (View Post)

They’re going strong in Italy, with not only many local stores, but also full size supermarkets and a few hypermarkets. (View Post)

Norway has a balance sheet debt of $220 bn but a sovereign wealth fund, which pays all their state pensions as well as funds infrastructure projects, of $1.7 trn, so in total is sitting very nicely. (View Post)

lol, what nonsense. They bought tons to the table, and achieved a lot, from equal marriage through pensions freedom, higher tax allowances (now reversed thanks to the Tories), pupil premium, green in… (View Post)

Italian provinces have councils below, as does London. The issue is whether unitary can work over a large, disparate area, especially when the power is going to be put in one person’s hands, with an … (View Post)