An Equality Bill promising equal life chances for all is imminent. But are such lofty ambitions achievable in an economic downturn when profits and budgets are being carefully guarded?
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...
The Budget included measures to overcome an impending crisis in further education, announcing £250m to fund an additional 54,000 sixth form and further education places
English towns and cities face a far larger than predicted demand for school classes, with London expecting a shortfall of 18,000 places. So should government or education authorities bear the costs...
Town hall leaders have been ‘hugely encouraged’ by the announcement of funding to help them create 100,000 new jobs - but have called for the extra money to be passed on quickly.
The public sector faces a £47bn spending squeeze from 2011, along with slashed capital allocations and a renewed efficiency drive as a result of this year’s Budget, experts have warned.
Whitehall officials have ‘too cosy’ a relationship with contractors and are not paying enough attention to making sure they provide value for money, MPs have found
The Communication Workers Union has condemned a proposed pay freeze across the Royal Mail as ‘unacceptable’, as postal workers threaten strikes over job losses in London
A powerful budget department similar to the UK Treasury should be set up in Scotland to control the stark spending choices now facing the Salmond administration, a leading think-tank has suggested...
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said the recession is serving as a ‘catalyst’ for the reform of public services and creating greater need for devolution of power
The National Audit Office seems unable to enforce performance management in Whitehall, according to the chair of the Commons public administration select committee
Is April the cruellest month? By the time Alistair Darling finished his 2009 Budget speech, it was looking a lot nastier than November. The litany of figures the chancellor recited revealed just how...
A groundbreaking deal to supply electricity to the entire public sector in Scotland was set to be announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney on April 30
The government’s push for greater choice and personalisation of public services will be hit by the spending squeeze outlined in the Budget, the chair of a powerful Commons committee has warned
Ten NHS trusts have been given Department of Health funding as part of a project aimed at improving late-stage dementia care by enhancing the patients’ living environment