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Features - May 2009

  • Class of 2009With the graduate job market in deep recession, students can ill-afford another rise in top-up fees. But cash-strapped universities say it's the only way to maintain world-class standards. Can the higher education review square the circle 29 May 2009
  • What the doctor orderedComprehensive Area Assessments should help improve the nation's health by focusing on local partnerships. But, argues Andy McKeon, the notoriously parochial NHS will have to look beyond its narrow objectives to achieve this 15 May 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
  • Those who can, buildReports of the problems facing the Building Schools for the Future scheme have been exaggerated. But successful partnering strategies are vital to help the programme thrive in a harsh financial climate, argues David Padwick 08 May 2009
  • Sweeping changesThe public expenditure squeeze and the credit crisis will require a fresh approach from private providers. They will have to rely less on confidentiality clauses and more on user satisfaction surveys, 'open books' and new forms of partnership 08 May 2009
  • Performance anxietiesWith the Budget emphasising the need for efficiency savings, performance management is going to play a crucial role in coming years. In association with Oracle, PF convened a round table of experts to discuss the public sector's approach and where it can be improved. Vivienne Russell reports 01 May 2009
  • Keeping things shipshapeThe public sector does not have easy-to-measure goals such as maximising profits. This makes it all the more important that public bodies have effective performance management processes. John Thornton provides a route map 01 May 2009
  • Targeted reliefTargets have fallen out of political favour. But, as Tom Gash points out, it will not be easy to develop effective and acceptable alternatives 01 May 2009
  • Community crime-stoppersOverpopulated prisons and the inappropriate use of custody are two reasons behind calls for a new approach to criminal justice, which would move decision making and funding on to a local level. Amelia Cookson reports on the debate 29 May 2009
  • Fitter for purposeDespite assurances to the contrary, the savings required of the NHS under the Treasury's Operational Efficiency Programme amount to real-terms cuts. Noel Plumridge wonders where the surgical strikes will be made 29 May 2009
  • Could it be magic?David Cameron has promised to conjure up 'more for less' if the Tories win the next general election. But, argues Philip Johnston, there is no secret formula, and a Tory prime minister might have to radically reform the public services to balance the books 22 May 2009
  • Recovery positionA nationwide outbreak of swine flu would severely test the National Health Service. Demand for services will soar just as staff sickness absence increases. The NHS needs to manage its human resources carefully, says Steven Weeks 22 May 2009
  • What's the score?It's more important than ever to improve public sector productivity, but top-down performance management approaches are destined to fail. A better method, argues Max Moullin, is to use a public sector scorecard 22 May 2009
  • We've seen the futureThe Treasury's Operational Efficiency Programme reads like a Soviet five-year plan; and is probably about as achievable. Tony Travers wades through Whitehall's radical blueprint for public sector performance management and cost-cutting 15 May 2009