The government must legislate as soon as possible to protect the impartiality of civil servants as the pressures they endure are 'greater than ever', the first civil service commissioner has warned.
The UK is unusual in having virtually no legislative control over central government reorganisations. Proponents of this state of affairs point to its flexibility, but it can also lead to flawed...
The new benefits minister is intent on reforms that will raise the employment rate, overhaul housing allowances and fix the DWP's IT systems. Mark Conrad reports
James Plaskitt, the new benefits minister, has given the strongest indication yet that the Child Support Agency could continue to operate in its current form, despite calls for it to be closed.
Sir Robin Wales, the mayor of Newham, the London borough where much of the 2012 Olympics will take place, pledged that it would be working 'flat out' to ensure the games are a success.
The government's push to improve neighbourhoods will not be carried out at the expense of councils, local government minister Phil Woolas claimed this week.
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,...
Pension reform returned to the top of the political agenda this week, but the government and public sector trade unions remained on a collision course over the issue.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull this week outlined Whitehall's latest campaign to improve civil service performance, relaunching a national academy that will train mandarins in the art of...
Lambeth council's 'zero tolerance' approach to non-payment of council tax goes hand in hand with its efforts to explain to residents how this will result in increased revenues and high-quality...
From victory to defeat in a few weeks. The London Borough of Ealing last month failed to convince the Court of Appeal that its 'weak' CPA rating was unlawful. But where does this result leave the...
Scotland's deputy finance minister, Tavish Scott, has defended the Executive's civil service relocation policy following a setback that forced it to drop plans to move a quango from Edinburgh.
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...
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...
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...
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...
The leader of Whitehall's latest professional body this week outlined his ambitious plan to improve working conditions for health sector managers, calling for talks with ministers over pay, pensions...
The catering workforce in schools needs to be massively expanded if schoolchildren are to be given healthy and nutritious meals, Unison said this week.
Proposals to reform the state second pension outlined by the CBI this week are under active consideration and could form part of the government's response to Britain's retirement crisis.
