Local authorities in some of the least well-off areas have raised the alarm over spending plans set four months ago due to inflation pressures.

A risky investment strategy and ‘unconscious incompetence’ at Thurrock council in Essex led to a financial meltdown.

Here is a look ahead at the implications of the damning report by the Privileges Committee into the former prime minister’s conduct.

Two-thirds of councils had not published details of spending by the date set by the Government as concerns are raised over audits and transparency.

‘Extreme’ levels of borrowing plunged Woking Borough Council into financial crisis.

A cross-party committee has identified significant flaws in the Government’s approach to addressing regional inequalities.

Sir Gus O’Donnell joined a former cabinet minister in rejecting the notion that breaches of the ministerial code should always lead to departures.

Cabinet Office permanent secretary Alex Chisholm highlighted the pressures caused by the ‘rate of change’ in Whitehall departments.

Organisations supporting people with gambling addictions told MPs proposed reforms to industry regulations must happen ‘at pace’.

The Cabinet Office permanent secretary said he expects the UK’s international reputation to improve after research found a drop in confidence.

A rise in spending by gambling firms on hospitality for MPs has coincided with delays to Government action on increasing levels of gambling addiction.

The Institute for Government said the Treasury’s unwillingness to share analysis undermined Government decision-making in response to the pandemic.

Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health lead, told MPs it will take at least two years for new guidance to be consistently implemented.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard told MPs there is a direct link between mental health staff shortages and the funding available.

Simon Bottery of the King’s Fund, said social care is being ‘short-changed’.

The approach by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman was not an ‘appropriate long-term solution’, a select committee said.

A think tank has called for an end to political and fiscal incentives that harm public services and hinder economic growth.

Councils have called on the Government to recognise unprecedented financial pressures caused by inflation and rising demand.

Research reveals only a slight recent narrowing of the gap in resources available to local authorities in the poorest and wealthiest areas.