Councils are targeting social services as prime areas to achieve Gershon efficiency gains. But can these 'Cinderella services' really live on less? Paul Gosling reports
The NHS has improved markedly over the past few years, but more attention needs to be paid to public health problems such as obesity, sexually transmitted diseases and especially mental health,...
The government is ploughing on with its city academy programme for inner-city schools, despite vociferous opposition and some embarrassing failures. Phil Revell finds out why
Budget-holders in education are concerned that procurement targets will oblige them to axe their trusted suppliers. However, both sides of the equation will be involved in solving the efficiency...
Slowly but surely, the private sector is making inroads into the NHS, with the active help of the government. While there is no prospect of full-scale privatisation, mixed provision of health care...
Real food is back on the political menu, after TV chef Jamie Oliver shamed the government over junk meals in schools. But despite all the noise, is there enough will and cash to give every school...
Local authorities must substantially improve their financial management arrangements in the 'brave new world' of reformed public services, James Strachan told the CIPFA annual conference in...
Prime Minister Tony Blair this week confirmed Sir Gus O'Donnell as the new Cabinet secretary, ending speculation that the job would be offered to a surprise candidate.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt will come under pressure to put together a financial rescue package for the NHS in Norfolk after government auditors confirmed that the local trust is paying over the...
Everyone from the Lonely Planet tourist guides to think-tank boffins agree that Britain's city centres now beat anything on offer in Europe. What is responsible for this transformation, asks Will...
Shadow chancellor George Osborne this week accused the government of failing to deliver promised civil service job cuts, leaving Britain's economy ailing.
Construction costs on the government's £25bn schools infrastructure programme could easily be cut to release more than £200m for frontline services, James Stewart has told Public Finance.
The first corporate manslaughter case against a council was thrown out because of the need to identify a 'controlling mind'. But there is no room for complacency, as a new law may shift the balance...
Government proposals to give people a leg up on to the property ladder are a step in the right direction, the author of its review of housing supply has told Public Finance .
