In the end, 'Super Thursday' wasn't meltdown for New Labour but neither was it a springboard for success. Tony Travers looks at the party's prospects after the local, Scottish and Welsh elections...
The system of scrutinising public services in Scotland is not 'fit for purpose' and needs to be radically reformed, council leaders and chief officials have concluded.
Payment by results is here to stay. But now ministers are consulting on the best way to 'unbundle' the tariff-based system. Noel Plumridge braves the details
Despite reports to the contrary, ministers are supportive of many of the recommendations made by Sir Michael Lyons. In fact, his major report will be informing public policy for many years to come
Cabinet Office ministers have backed down from their hardline stance and will recommence pay discussions with Whitehall's striking civil servants, Public Finance has learnt.
Chancellor Gordon Brown's much-criticised decision to re-date the economic cycle means that he is likely to meet his 'golden rule', according to official figures published this week.
England's local authorities lack the expertise to implement crucial government reforms, cannot retain high-quality staff and do not reward employees according to their ability to perform their jobs,...
The chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has rejected claims that the planned new body has been 'downsized' with a budget less than half the size experts said it needed.
Labour's battle to retain power at Holyrood and prevent a Scottish National Party victory received a much-needed boost this week when leading personalities, including top business figures, declared...
Opposition to Prime Minister Tony Blair's welfare reforms intensified this week when civil servants joined political opponents including Chancellor Gordon Brown in condemning key proposals.
In the second of Public Finance 's series of 'After Lyons' articles, the Conservatives' shadow local government minister argues for a pragmatic pick 'n mix approach to Sir Michael's conclusions
The chair of the CBI's Public Services Strategy Board combines a commitment to business with a long-held passion for Ipswich Town Football Club. He tells all to Joseph McHugh
Control of crucial UK fiscal policies including oversight of the current government's 'golden rule' should be handed over to an independent body, leading economists have urged.
The controversial NHS consultants' contract introduced in 2003 was a something-for-nothing deal that increased average salaries by more than £23,000 but led to doctors doing less work, the National...
Campaigners have attacked the introduction of an Australian-style immigration system, which they say ignores the plight of many highly skilled migrants who are already resident in the UK.
Swathes of public sector staff could be on a collision course with the government after a union leader said the Trades Union Congress is in 'serious discussions' over co-ordinated industrial action...
Doctors and insurance firms in Germany are up in arms over the 'NHS-lite' health reforms introduced on April 1. Greg Bousfield looks at the problems with the existing system and explains why...
Local government faces an uncertain future. The Lyons' report has been largely rejected by ministers, there is the prospect of a messy reorganisation, and local partnerships are failing to get off...
Nurses have demanded a meeting with Chancellor Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt as they threatened industrial action over this year's staged pay award.
The future of local government finance moved up the election agenda in Scotland this week as the Liberal Democrats announced their plans for a local income tax.
