News and expert comment on public policy and finance

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18 May 2012

Whitehall will hang on to 50% of business rate incomeEnglish councils will be able to keep only half of the income from business rates when they take control of them next year, the Department for Communities and Local Government has revealed.

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Features & interviews

Condition still criticalFollowing a long and painful battle, the Health and Social Care Act finally made it on to the statute book. But after all that legislative surgery, the prognosis remains unfavourable for the NHS

The victims' voiceLast summer's riots inflicted untold misery on individuals and businesses across England. But the views and concerns of those who suffered are now being heard loud and clear thanks to the work of Darra Singh's independent panel

Games onReports of the Olympics organisers dropping the baton have been greatly exaggerated, finance director David Goldstone tells PF. In fact, public sector teamwork has helped the Games clear the hurdles and reach the final stretch

How to make a big impactSenior staff need to be able put across their messages clearly. But the effect you have depends on a range of factors. Pam Jones gives tips and techniques on how to hit the right spot and leave a lasting impression

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Opinion

Instant analysis from expert bloggers and highlights from Public Finance

Bulls, bears and cash cows
Michael Ware
Scots' skills shortage
Don Peebles
Dodging Dilnot
James Lloyd
Emergency exit
Andrew Jepp

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

Steering clear of debt However hard it might be for governments to change accounting course, they need to do so urgently to avoid future financial crises, says Steve Freer

Comments

Your latest comments from the PF blog

Comment on Wanted: CEO for UK plc by Warren Park
The changes in the NHS are now in hand and can be judged before the next election. Some of this has not been well handled, but change in such a big...
Comment on After May 3: the democratic deficit by Jason Dore
This is all very well, but it fails to address a fundamental point. Politics is difficult. It requires patience and tolerance and understanding. More...

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May 3 Elections

Ministers 'failed to make the case for mayors'The government's lack of support and information for elected mayors campaigns contributed to voters' widespread rejection of the structure in the ten referendums held yesterday, according to a localism think-tank.
Labour main winner in local election resultsLabour has gained more than 800 councillors following last Thursday's local government elections across the UK.