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News - August 2012

Councils publishing 'inaccessible' spending data, say MPsLocal authority spending data is being released without town halls ensuring that it is 'fit for purpose', MPs on the Public Accounts Committee revealed today. 01 August 2012
Chancellor launches cheap loans schemeA government scheme aimed at providing cheaper loans to individuals and businesses has been launched by Chancellor George Osborne today. 01 August 2012
Local authorities 'neglecting social value in contracts'Almost half of English councils prefer to use their purchasing power to cut costs than to secure wider social benefits, a survey by accountants BDO has found. 02 August 2012
District councils call for more cash for ageing populationsDistrict councils have called for extra government cash as a study revealed they are disproportionately affected by ageing populations 02 August 2012
Scots government boosts intern scheme by £200,000A successful programme to help graduates gain employment experience through internships is to be stepped up, thanks to a £200,000 cash injection from the Scottish Government. 02 August 2012
Premature spending cuts 'pushed UK back into recession'The current UK recession could have been avoided if cuts to government spending had been delayed, a leading economic forecaster said today. 03 August 2012
Town halls must reveal all borrowing plans to qualify for lower PWLB ratesCouncils will have to give the government details of their borrowing plans to qualify for the lower Public Works Loan Board interest rates announced in the Budget, it has been revealed. 03 August 2012
MSP seeks to extend FoI to private contractorsScottish Government ministers are facing a parliamentary challenge over their refusal to extend Freedom of Information provisions to contractors and arm's-length agencies. 06 August 2012
Council Tax Benefit cuts will lead to 'poll tax' problems, warns LabourLabour has warned that millions of poorer people across England will have to pay more council tax from next April following devolution of the benefit to local authorities. 06 August 2012
DWP's unpaid work schemes ruled legalTwo of the government's welfare to work schemes have been ruled lawful after a High Court judge rejected claims that the programmes equated to forced labour. 06 August 2012
Holyrood lacks power to run referendum, say MPsWestminster must have the final say on the form and conduct of Scotland's independence referendum, according to a report published today by the Commons Scottish affairs select committee. 07 August 2012
No case for profit-making schools, says IPPRThere is no evidence that allowing schools to be run for a profit would boost education standards in England, the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank said today. 08 August 2012
CQC apologises for response to care home abuseThe Care Quality Commission has admitted 'failing' in its response to concerns about abuse at the Winterbourne View home, after an independent review called for better monitoring of services for vulnerable adults. 08 August 2012
Bank of England predicts zero growth and slow recoveryThe Bank of England has downgraded its forecast for economic growth in the UK this year to zero, and warned that the economy is unlikely to be recover before 2014. 08 August 2012
Whitehall efficiency drive saves £5bn, says MaudeGovernment departments saved more than £5.5bn in 2011/12, including £1.5bn in staff costs, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude revealed today. 09 August 2012