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Features - August 2011

  • No country for old people Photo: photolibrary 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
  • Photo: istock Sponsored article: Helping hand for homebuyersFirst-time buyers are being helped on to the housing ladder through an innovative scheme where local authorities work with lenders to offer affordable mortgages 01 August 2011
  • Photo: istock Sponsored article: Back to the future for public servicesCouncils feel they are being transported back to the 1980s, as severe grant and budget cuts pile on the pressure to contract out services to save money. But they can gain or lose from the experience, says Matt Humphrey 01 August 2011
  • Euro Flags Sponsored article: The eurozone debt crisis - a bail-out too far?It is not sustainable for the eurozone to support the sheer volume of existing private and public sector debt in member nations. Either restructuring of the debt, or reconstitution of the eurozone, is going to be needed 01 August 2011
  • Management developement How to make a career changeTimes of change are always unsettling, so it is more important now than ever to make sure you are moving job for the right reasons. Ann McFadyen shows you how to look before you leap 01 August 2011
  • Library REX Community right or wrong?On the surface, the government's planned Community Right to Buy seems to be an admirable example of localism. But it runs the real risk of turning into nothing more than extra red tape for councils, says David Bentley 01 August 2011
  • Mark Lowcock Our man in DFIDMark Lowcock is a permanent secretary with a difference. Not only is he a qualified accountant but his department's budget is actually rising. He tells PF how he is managing to cut costs while increasing overseas aid and value for money 01 August 2011
  • Return to sender illus Lozano Return to senderAll the coalition talk might be about contracting out services but for many councils, the opposite is looking more attractive. Bringing services back in-house allows better control of costs and quality – and closer relationships with residents, says Paul O'Brien 01 August 2011