Two important new documents provide the basis for stronger and more efficient public sector procurement as we emerge from Covid-19, says Crown Commercial Service chief executive Simon Tse.
Mounting costs relating to a block of flats with dangerous cladding could lead to a local authority lending millions to a council-owned company – money it admits might not be fully paid back
The cost of government responses to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland topped £6bn as both Stormont and Westminster worked to fight the health and economic crises caused by the virus.
New procurement guidance that aims to push the wider benefits of public spending alongside value for money will only have “teeth” once legislation is adopted, according to experts.
Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s former adviser, described the Department of Health’s procurement system as “completely useless” at dealing with Covid-19, but praised chancellor Rishi Sunak in...
Despite significant support from central government, the outlook for local authority finances is uncertain, says National Audit Office director Aileen Murphie.
The National Audit Office has launched an inquiry into the timeliness of local authority audit in England last year, as sector audits continue to miss deadlines.
London Borough of Croydon has requested permission from the government to use borrowing earmarked for capital projects on filling its revenue budget gap instead.
At the end of a traumatic year, PF asks local government figures whether government has done enough to shield the sector from the financial impact of Covid-19.
Leeds City Council has withdrawn its application for permission to use capital resources on day-to-day services following a funding boost from government.
Covid-19 has only increased the need for governments around the world to take a consistent approach to reporting their financial balance sheets, says Gillian Fawcett.
Local authorities could be required to provide central government with extra details on their commercial property portfolios, according to a senior official.
Nobody expected the 2020 Spending Review to slam the brakes on, but a prolonged period with no formal fiscal framework will start causing the chancellor new headaches, says Dan Corry.
Catch up with the main spending announcements in today’s settlement, which chancellor Rishi Sunak says represents the fastest revenue spending growth for 15 years, even excluding the Covid-19...
London Borough of Bexley last week announced it is in discussions with Whitehall officials over an application to use capital borrowing to fund services. Council leader Teresa O'Neill and director of...
The government borrowed a record £214bn between April and October – although the figure was £77bn less than projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The government failed to meet standards of transparency on its emergency Covid-19 procurement, according to an investigation by the National Audit Office.
The Local Government Association has launched an investigation into whether disciplinary action should be taken in relation to senior management actions at financially-stricken London Borough of...
