News and expert comment on public policy and finance

Care features

NHS reforms: starting the treatmentFrom April 1, the health service embarks on an uncertain journey as the biggest structural reforms for decades get under way. Richard Lewis considers the risks and opportunities ahead 01 April 2013
PF interview: Norman LambHealth minister Norman Lamb talks to Judy Hirst about the Francis report on Mid-Staffs, Dilnot's funding recommendations and joining up the dots on social care 01 April 2013
Age-old questionsThe Dilnot report is the latest attempt to find a solution to the social care funding crisis. To avoid the fate of its predecessors, it has erred on the side of compromise. But in doing so it has avoided tackling the prickly issues of varying quality of care and huge wealth disparities. Polly Toynbee and David Walker report 01 August 2011
Divide and rule?By loading responsibility for the bulk of spending cuts on to councils, the government has managed to spread the consequences far and wide. The result, says Tony Travers, is that everyone is fighting separate battles to save their favourite services and overall opposition is weak 01 May 2011
Welfare: thinking the thinkableWelfare reform is crucial to the coalition's agenda. But ministers' plans are driven by cuts rather than consistent principles, while Labour seems out of touch. Policy thinkers Gavin Kelly and Nick Pearce map out a better approach 13 December 2010
Through a glass, lightlyShould the public sector start drowning its sorrows as the cuts kick in? Doom merchants certainly seem to think so. But perhaps in reality the glass is half full and not half empty. Tony Travers finds some reasons to be cheerful 18 November 2010
Weathering the stormBatten down the hatches, the worst is yet to come. Even if the recession is now over, there are mounting social and financial pressures on the UK. Only radical government action can avert disaster, argues Malcolm Prowle 08 October 2009
Promises, promisesWhatever happened to that brave new political dawn? Things really did get better but, as New Labour gathers for its last conference before the election, the public couldn't be less grateful. Demos's Jamie Bartlett explains what went wrong 25 September 2009
Taking good careThe recent green paper on social care was a step in the right direction. But, as well as focusing on the long term, short-term measures still have to be made for those in need now. Sue Collins explains 30 July 2009
Coping strategiesCan the promised new deal for social care services weather the economic storm, ask Jenny Owen and Bill Hodson 26 June 2009
Sticking to the day jobThe new mega-regulator for health and social care has a huge task ahead, licensing a wide range of providers and ensuring standards of care. It will need to avoid mission creep and stay focused, argues Anna Dixon 08 May 2009
Duty of careFrontline public sector services are what people turn to when they're hit by unemployment, repossessions and debt crises. 27 February 2009
A hard lesson to learnThe Baby P case has thrown up some serious questions about the merging of children's education and social services. 13 February 2009
A brave new world? By John ThorntonWhat does the future hold for public sector finance teams in a globalised environment? More shared services, pared down back-office operations and beefed up finance functions are all possibilities, says John Thornton 01 January 2008
A Budget for hard times, by Joseph McHughNext week's statement will be a severe test for the chancellor. There's a squeeze on spending and no appetite for tax rises, so what are Alistair Darling's options? PF convened a round table of politicians and experts to find out. Joseph McHugh reports 01 January 2008