An economic downturn is coming, that much almost everyone is agreed on. But its depth, width and length are still uncertain. As the Budget looms, Priyen Patel looks at the options
The NHS is approaching 60 and as deficits turn into surpluses it's not looking bad for its age. But now everyone is anticipating the health minister's final report, and asking how much his...
Social care will continue to deteriorate unless the government urgently reviews its spending plans and radically overhauls the system, campaigners have warned.
The Jobcentre Plus agency has won praise from the National Audit Office, after establishing more than 850 offices around the country in a project that was completed for £314m less than the original £...
The Labour government's U-turns on fiscal change have left Britain with high, complicated taxes in an uncertain climate, says shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond. He argues that...
Three-year spending plans that happen every two years; greater accountability promises that actually sideline Parliament Comprehensive Spending Reviews are looking more like science fiction than a...
The Home Office's failure to have its accounts in good working order was 'inexcusable', its permanent secretary told a Treasury and CIPFA-hosted symposium on financial management in London on...
Chancellor Alistair Darling's forecasts for the public finances are too optimistic and painful choices are needed to get them back on track, despite higher-than-expected tax receipts, leading...
A Whitehall error has meant two London councils will lose special funding they were promised in the provisional local government finance settlement last year.
Almost half of public sector employers expect to make staff redundant over the next three months, a survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has revealed.
France is struggling, like us, to cut back its public sector and devote more resources to the front line. But she would be wise to learn from the British experience before adopting our policies...
Despite receiving real-terms funding increases, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is busy making value-for-money savings, with science and second-chance students among the losers...
Scotland's largest local authority is to shed more than 400 posts following its decision to freeze council tax in line with the policy of the Scottish government.
Public bodies in Wales must stop putting their own needs first and instead focus on meeting the expectations of citizens for quality services, the minister in charge has warned.
The future of the Scottish National Party government led by First Minister Alex Salmond was secured when its first budget was approved by MSPs this week.
The centre of government has been given a make-over, with new policy advisers and even a permanent secretary at Number 10. But they're no nearer to finding Brown's big idea, says Tony Travers
New Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell has vowed to press ahead with the radical welfare reforms set out by former investment banker David Freud.
The new Department for Children, Schools and Families, headed by secretary of state Ed Balls, is nothing if not ambitious, with a ten-year plan that encompasses all aspects of children's lives. But...
