News and expert comment on public policy and finance

Central government features

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 01 May 2012
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 01 May 2012
Stringing us along?Ministers talk the talk on local financial freedoms. But without the right to vary both taxation and service levels, town halls will remain at the mercy of Whitehall 01 April 2012
The whole pictureThe aim of the infrastructure code isn't just to help councils finish their Whole of Government Accounts. It should also to help them manage their assets better 01 April 2012
This is going to hurtAs the UK feels the pain of the harshest austerity package since the war, don't expect any letup in George Osborne's March Budget. Better get used to the new normal, says Tony Travers 01 March 2012
Joining the care dotsThe Health and Social Care Bill is meant to help clinicians provide patients with better integrated local care services. But a growing chorus of critics think it will have the opposite effect. Who's right? 01 March 2012
Weak foundationsInvestment in infrastructure is the chancellor's way of providing a necessary stimulus to the flatlining economy. But how does he intend to find the funds without dipping into the public purse or using the unpopular PFI? Mark Hellowell reports 01 February 2012
Home truthsThe good news is that the government is scrapping the much-hated Housing Revenue Account from April. The less good news is that the Treasury, not councils, could still end up in the driving seat 01 February 2012
Digital by decreeIn 1997, Tony Blair set a target for 'e-government' and almost achieved it. Now, Francis Maude has picked up the mantle. So how have things changed? 01 February 2012
A force to reckon withThe creation of police commissioners raises some awkward accounting issues, not least because there are now going to be two separate police bodies 01 February 2012
Whitehall warsThere's trouble at the top in Whitehall, with senior civil servants taking to the streets and relations with ministers becoming increasingly dysfunctional. Colin Talbot tests the temperature in the corridors of power 01 January 2012
All in this togetherAs the eurozone crisis continues and sovereign debt soars, governments need to urgently reform their accounting practices. CIPFA's chief executive, Steve Freer, calls for a collective effort across the profession to transform public financial management globally 01 December 2011
Open for business?Can the government's Open Public Services agenda succeed in a period of local authority budget cuts? Public Finance and Zurich Municipal hosted a round table to debate the possibilities 01 December 2011
Action stationsThe government's implementation plan shows that ministers are serious about getting to grips with the problems associated with public sector ICT projects 01 December 2011
On the fast-track?Justine Greening has been propelled to the top role in transport, just in time to oversee the controversial high-speed line planned between London and Birmingham. She will have a tough job defending its financial and green credentials, says Christian Wolmar 01 November 2011