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Features - February 2010

  • BankofEnglandSAM No easing the painThe recession is officially over. But the misery will continue when the next government has to decide between continuing economic life support or paying off the debt. Peter Riddell asks which party has a credible plan 04 February 2010
  • Seeing the lightSustainability is no longer a choice for the public sector, with legal requirements to cut carbon emissions to be introduced in April. John Thornton says technology can help meet these targets and cut costs 11 February 2010
  • Power to the peopleGreater citizen involvement in running public services is building a popular front of support from Westminster to Tooting and beyond. But Jonathan Clifton cautions that it is harder to achieve in practice than in theory 25 February 2010
  • Running out of time?Councils should now be approaching the final straight in their preparations for International Financial Reporting Standards. But many are falling behind and must speed up, says Bharat Shah 18 February 2010
  • Co-op Should local services be run like John Lewis?Although mutuals and co-operatives have been providing services for hundreds of years, they are suddenly being touted as the saviour of the public sector. Lucy Phillips reports 02 February 2010
  • Hung out to dry?Unequal Britain can't be changed simply by giving individuals 'opportunities', argues Lisa Harker. It needs a government prepared to invest in more skilled jobs for the future and to narrow the earnings and geographical gaps 11 February 2010
  • New schools of thoughtLabour and the Tories are squaring up for the coming election battles over education, and are scathing about each other's plans. But how much of this is posturing and how much substance? Conor Ryan investigates 11 February 2010
  • Tales of the unprotectedSafeguarding the budgets of health and education could leave unprotected public services facing cuts of up to 50%. Wouldn't it be fairer to plug the fiscal hole by 'salami-slicing' the whole lot, asks Tony Travers 18 February 2010
  • Left high and dry?The Conservatives' planning green paper, launched this week, proposes to scrap most of Labour's reforms and devolve many decisions to local communities. But critics fear this will be a charter for 'Nimbyism' and leave building projects all at sea. Peter Hetherington reports 25 February 2010
  • Step changeTotal Place could help solve the problem of drastic funding cuts for local services. But it's going to be a steep learning curve for both Whitehall and town halls, says John Tizard 04 February 2010