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Children features

Video interview with former US comptroller general David WalkerAfter addressing the CIPFA international conference in London, the former US comptroller general and founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative talks to Public Finance about: fiscal responsibility; the March Budget; protected spending areas; 'leadership and laggardship'; and public finance transparency. 16 March 2011
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
The balance sheetThings really did get better under New Labour. But now we need a new settlement for progressive politics and public service reform, say Lisa Harker and Carey Oppenheim 07 July 2010
Street lifeMore support must be provided to children sleeping rough in Britain. Not only would this alleviate suffering, it would also reduce the long-term costs to the public purse, argues Emilie Smeaton 10 December 2009
Picking up the benefits billThe time has finally come to limit universal benefit payments for the middle classes, argue the IPPR's Kate Stanley and Clare McNeil 05 November 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
Commission possible, by Jim KnightThe government's Children's Plan sets out an ambitious vision for raising educational standards. Here, schools minister Jim Knight explains how a new approach to commissioning can help local authorities transform schools 01 January 2008
Raising their game, by Cliff DaltonThe 'use of resources' element of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment has led to a dramatic improvement in council services. But it won't be stopping there. In fact, it's set to play an even larger role under the new area assessments. Cliff Dalton explains 01 January 2008
Lost his bottle? By Peter HetheringtonPublic sector agencies are bearing the brunt of 'round-the-clock drinking and gambling'. But Gordon Brown seems to have lost his earlier resolve to reverse the newly liberalised laws. Peter Hetherington reports 01 January 2008
Profile - Sir Bob Kerslake - The home makerNext year, the Homes and Community Agency will take over a swathe of housing and wider responsibilities. Its chief executive in waiting is raring to go, he tells Neil Merrick 01 January 2008
Best laid plans, by Conor RyanThe new Department for Children, Schools and Families, headed by secretary of state Ed Balls, is nothing if not ambitious, with a ten-year plan that encompasses all aspects of children's lives. But Conor Ryan detects a fault line or two in the strategy 01 January 2008
Inside the machine, by Tony TraversThe centre of government has been given a make-over, with new policy advisers and even a permanent secretary at Number 10. But they're no nearer to finding Brown's big idea, says Tony Travers 01 January 2008
Public domain - Vive la nouvelle entente cordiale, by Colin TalbotFrance is struggling, like us, to cut back its public sector and devote more resources to the front line. But she would be wise to learn from the British experience before adopting our policies wholesale 01 January 2008
A new fiscal framework, by Philip HammondThe Labour government's U-turns on fiscal change have left Britain with high, complicated taxes in an uncertain climate, says shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond. He argues that there is an alternative 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