The government could announce a combined package of tax cuts, benefit measures and capital spending to provide a ‘fiscal stimulus’ to the economy in the Pre-Budget Report, economists have...
An economist who led work at the Healthcare Commission on value for money in the health service has criticised the commission’s approach to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of services
When the going gets tough, the tough invent a grand-sounding body. Philip Johnston asks whether Gordon Brown’s new economic ‘war council’ is a lean, mean fighting machine or a...
The government is facing increasing pressure to offer further support to local businesses through business rate relief, as a survey showed companies were having difficulty paying the tax
The government’s abandonment of its fiscal rules and new readiness to borrow have prompted questions from economists, as new figures showed a year-on-year fall in the UK’s gross domestic...
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should focus on better understanding rural economies now it has lost its climate change brief, MPs have said
The NHS Confederation has called on foundation trusts to bring forward investment projects to help stimulate the economy after figures showed they had a combined surplus of almost £400m
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has threatened to sack more than 4,000 staff and rehire them on new contracts in an attempt to push through changes to terms and conditions
Government plans to bring council rents in line with those of housing associations have run into more trouble after ministers recommended a two-year cap on increases
The Scottish Government has indicated a major shift in its controversial plans for a local income tax by confirming it is investigating taxing unearned income and allowing individual councils to vary...
In renewed unrest over public sector pay, NHS unions have called for their three-year deal to be 'reopened', while teachers are waiting to find out whether they will join civil servants on strike.
As the global financial crisis deepens, public sector pension schemes are facing a double whammy. Not only are they suffering from falling share values, but there are increasing calls for their '...
The government has favoured the Private Finance Initiative, partly to keep debt off the national accounts. But, Mark Hellowell argues, with the financial crisis hitting providers, the schemes will...
Economists have raised questions over the government's plan to bring borrowing back to 'sustainable' levels after a Keynesian boost in spending to lift the economy
The government has insisted the role of children's trusts will be clarified and strengthened after the Audit Commission said they had yet to show a positive impact and had led to confusion.
Public sector investors should look beyond credit ratings and ensure they are in dialogue with banking institutions to minimise the risks around deposits, the Financial Services Authority has said
