From our brains to yours.

Local Authorities enter 2026 still facing sustained financial strain. Despite uplifts in core spending power across the sector as a whole, pressures from social care demand, contract inflation and higher borrowing costs continue to erode resilience across the sector. Recent parliamentary evidence confirms that, whilst rare, the number of Section 114 notices issued since 2018 is at an all-time high, underlining the systemic nature of the challenge and the scrutiny on historic corporate investments and subsidiary performance.

Decarbonising the UK’s energy system and wider economy will require rapid electrification of heat, transport and industry, leading to a sharp rise in electricity demand. The National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) analysis suggests electricity demand could increase by 25-40% by the early 2030s and almost triple by 2050, reaching up to 700-785 TWh per year, compared with around 290 TWh today

The Public Sector Finance Leaders Barometer is a nationwide pulse check of the pressures, priorities and sentiment shaping local government finance. Compiled from the insights of Section 151 officers and finance directors, it provides a data‑rich view of how leaders are navigating 2026, a year defined by financial constraints, regulatory complexities and rising demand.

The Operational Public-Private Partnerships Summit (OPPPS) at Celtic Manor – 2 December 2025 to 3 December 2025 captured a mix of hot topics and discussion points across the sector. There was a central thread of optimism following references in the 2025 Autumn Budget to ‘a new model of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)’ to support the Neighbourhood Health Centres (NHCs) programme. This culminated in a celebration of operational excellence at the OPPPS Awards, which spotlighted public and private sector success in areas such as community engagement and handback discipline.

Discover how to turn 2025 Budget commitments into real impact for communities. Explore delivery plans, local authority challenges, and practical solutions.

Buses are a lifeline for many communities in the UK, but services are under threat because patronage has declined. This first episode of our podcast discusses the innovative solutions needed to solve these problems.

How we helped Dubai RTA devise a new business model for the operation and maintenance of its metro and tram systems, and procure the right contractor.

How we delivered a competitive procurement that secured new operators for three of TfL’s networks who would provide value for money to passengers and taxpayers.

Over successive administrations, the absence of a consistent and coordinated set of policies has constrained, delayed and/or prevented sustained investment in critical growth areas. This inconsistency has left public services and national priorities to drift, and in some cases, regress.

Read our report for guidance on managing the risks related to accounting treatments for different financial instruments, including challenge questions.

How can giving local authorities greater fiscal autonomy complement the Government's devolution agenda? Our report discusses the potential impacts.

How we developed a robust auction and evaluation method for The Crown Estate, balancing market entry, COVID-19 impacts, and value for money for stakeholders.

The key concerns in capital programmes were clear at UKREiiF2025. Find out more about viability, and the need for public sector support and systemic reform.

Find out how the council is using our CFO Insights tool to embed data into their financial planning processes and align spending with outcomes.

Selection for devolution prioritisation meant Suffolk County Council needed a partner to help them show how they would reorganise in preparation for it.

Derbyshire County Council transforms its finance model with Grant Thornton, enhancing financial management for informed, strategic, and sustainable decision-making.