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Justice features

No particular place to go, by Tony TraversThere is a lull in Westminster, as if everything is waiting for the next PM. For many in the public sector, this represents a welcome rest from a breakneck whirl of reform but not for local government. Tony Travers reports 01 January 2006
Not a black and white issue, by Ann RossiterTolerance for diverse ethnic and religious traditions has long been part of Britain's multicultural society, writes Ann Rossiter. But community cohesion is being seriously undermined and the causes are complex 01 January 2006
Point of law - Back to the rule book, by Stephen Cirell and John BennettCertain services and lower-value contracts have always been exempt from the European Union's procurement directive. But fresh guidance now requires even these to be publicly advertised 01 January 2006
Point of law - Budget blow for councils by Stephen Cirell and John BennettIn this increasingly litigious society, local authorities have become used to being sued for everything from cracked pavements to housing problems. But is there now a new and serious threat to be faced? 01 January 2006
Point of law - LAA law the story continues, by Stephen Cirell and John BennettThe recent wave of primary care trust withdrawals from Local Area Agreements at short notice has highlighted the need to put LAAs on a firm legal basis. So why isn't the government doing so? 01 January 2006
Point of law - The weakest link, by Stephen Cirell and John BennettWhatever government reform you look at, you'll find joint working is part of it. But councils planning to join up to share services need to ensure that by doing so they don't trigger EU procurement laws 01 January 2006
Profile Jenny Watson Opportunity knocksIn a week when the Women and Work Commission found gender inequality to be very much alive, the EOC chair tells Sally Gainsbury about the equality challenges facing the public sector 01 January 2006
Profile Jon Restell Calm charmerStanding up for NHS managers is a tough assignment, but a new union leader is tackling the challenge in a determined yet relaxed way. Seamus Ward reports 01 January 2006
Protect and survive, by Phil RevellThe failure of List 99 to stop paedophiles working with children shocked parents and teachers and nearly did for the career of Education Secretary Ruth Kelly. Phil Revell asks whether the government's new measures will be enough to safeguard pupils 01 January 2006
Public domain - theres no debate, by Colin TalbotThe promised summer report on next year's Comprehensive Spending Review has yet to materialise, making it unlikely that MPs will be able to discuss it before the recess. But that's par for the course now 01 January 2006
Public domain - Whole lot of shaking up going on, by Colin TalbotJapan's Government Policy Evaluation Act bears a passing resemblance to Whitehall's Public Service Agreements. But it is part of a deeper and more extensive reform to take the politics out of public works 01 January 2006
Public sector shows it's got what it takesMike Thatcher reports from the 2006 Public Servants of the Year Awards ceremony held on May 17 01 January 2006
So did things really get better? by Madeleine Bunting and Simon ParkerAs the Labour Party gathers for a tumultuous annual conference, Madeleine Bunting and Simon Parker ask what almost ten years of Blairism has really meant for public services. And how can New Labour renew the optimism and confidence of a decade ago? 01 January 2006
Taking it on trust, by Tash ShifrinSelf-governing trust schools are New Labour's latest big idea for education. But confusion still reigns over their structure and how they will be governed in practice. Tash Shifrin investigates 01 January 2006
Taking learning further, by Nick PearceThe FE white paper rightly recognises that adults and young people have different learning needs. But more needs to be done to provide adult learners with greater choice and lighter-touch planning 01 January 2006