Breakfast and after-school clubs have a beneficial effect on children's confidence and motivation but they are being hampered by short-term funding, school inspectors said this week.
Lone parents on income support should be able to keep all the child maintenance they receive under the government's reformed child support system, a former welfare minister has argued.
It's been all around the Houses, argued over and amended beyond recognition. And it only managed to get this far with Opposition support. Phil Revell considers the progress of the controversial...
The Department of Health has admitted that its payment by results hospital funding scheme has led to a deterioration in care for older people, has 'not worked' for specialist children's hospitals and...
This week's call for means-tested charges for NHS services is wrong-headed. Such a move would raise few funds, deter the wrong people from using health care, and undermine the consensus that backs...
It seems that time is running out for the big regeneration programmes. But, despite government rhetoric about 'mainstreaming', practitioners fear that their resources might not transfer into the...
Ministers are poised to devolve new welfare powers to cities aimed at combating poverty, raising employment and improving conditions for people with disabilities.
Political acceptability will dictate Sir Michael Lyons' proposals to reform local government finance when he concludes his inquiry later this year, he has told Public Finance
Sure Start, tax credits, baby bonds. Gordon Brown has not been idle on the social policy front while he waits for his chance at the premiership. But what kind of legacy will the longest-serving...
Ministers expect to save £7bn from the overhaul of welfare systems announced this week cash that they believe could be reinvested directly back into services.
The Cornwall Partnership NHS trust has been placed under 'special measures' following a watchdog report revealing 'many years of abusive practices' of adults with learning disabilities.
Families with disabled children, professional carers and MPs have joined forces to influence the Treasury's policy review on children and young people.
The government's impending Welfare Reform Bill will be scrutinised by disability rights experts to assess its impact on child poverty targets, a leading practitioner revealed this week.
The government has poured money into public sector pay, but taxpayers can't see any service improvement, the unions are far from grateful and now the chancellor is pulling the plug. It's time to...
Town halls have been urged to tighten up their record keeping after an investigation by the education watchdog revealed that few schools and councils are keep a reliable and accessible list of...
Almost 5 million families are missing out on state-assisted childcare because of current tax credit arrangements, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
From protecting care home standards to saving people from torture, the Human Rights Act touches on all aspects of public life. Yet it is under fierce attack. Nick Pearce examines why
Serious consideration should be given to alternatives to custody for certain prisoners in order to alleviate prison overcrowding, senior MPs said this week.
Is 'public value' a useful tool for democratising public services or a load of airy-fairy nonsense? Colin Talbot sets out the case for taking it seriously
While Labour and the Conservatives join battle over who has the most sustainable policies, public sector organisations are making some serious strides forward. Andrew Ross reports on an issue whose...
