Chancellor Alistair Darling's Keynesian plans to increase public spending and borrowing in a bid to lift the economy stirred controversy this week as Opposition politicians attacked the...
The crisis in the markets has left a trail of financial giants in tatters. Public services, especially those with Icelandic investments, are feeling the strain. Paul Gosling reports on how the sector...
The Department for Transport's takeover of passenger rail franchise awards has provided savings to both taxpayers and passengers, according to a report from the National Audit Office.
Attempts by the public sector to promote innovation in cities have been too narrowly focused on support services for science and technology, a think-tank has said
Against all the odds, Number 10 is banking on its latest economic rescue package to turn round the PM's and the party's fortunes. As Labour's annual conference convenes, Peter Riddell weighs up their...
London's £16bn Crossrail project seemed finally to have left its troubled past behind when Gordon Brown approved it last year. But as the economic crisis worsens, doubts are growing and the scheme...
More and more civil servants now operate at arm's length from Whitehall as part of agencies. But there are suggestions that a Tory government might reverse this trend and attempt a 'radical...
On the surface, eco-towns seem to tick all the right boxes, providing essential new homes without harming the planet. So why are the locals up in arms? Neil Merrick reports
The long-term growth in household energy consumption is beginning to reverse, with energy efficiency in the home improving by 19% between 1990 and 2004, according to a National Audit Office report on...
The London Olympics present a financial challenge like no other combining a global sporting event with a major regeneration project. But to achieve its goals the Games will need substantial private...
The effects of last summer's floods are still being felt by the hardest-hit regions. Councils planning to minimise the future costs of such events must revisit and update their risk assessments, says...
Ahead of his address to the CIPFA conference, John Prescott talks to Vivienne Russell about the most pressing issues that Labour faces, and what he considers to be his legacy to local government from...
Not so long ago, ministers were wild about independent sector treatment centres and their success in bringing down waiting lists. But plans for more seem to have slowed, if not stalled. So is the...
Children's minister Beverley Hughes has announced a £35m pilot scheme to improve access to childcare for parents with disabled children. Part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families'...
The May 1 election results gave Labour a bloody nose and shook up the political landscape. It also reflected voters' feeling that local authorities have precious little power.
Another local government white paper is imminent and if ministers are serious about devolution, this one must provide for full financial accountability, argue Amelia Cookson and Andrew Collinge
Northern Ireland's public sector is too big and too well paid, according to Sir David Varney's review of competitiveness in Northern Ireland, carried out on behalf of the Treasury. The review could...
Keeping citizens' data centrally seemed such a good idea. It could help to catch terrorists, protect children, save patients' lives, and stop people from providing the same details to different...
