Local authorities do not understand the recreational needs of their communities and must improve the financial management of facilities such as swimming pools, football pitches and gyms, the Audit...
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.
A former permanent secretary this week called for Whitehall's performance assessments to be quickly handed over to an external regulator once the new frameworks become embedded.
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
The Department for Communities and Local Government is considering a fundamental overhaul of local authority pensions potentially creating a new scheme with retirement payments linked to employees...
Serious consideration should be given to alternatives to custody for certain prisoners in order to alleviate prison overcrowding, senior MPs said this week.
British citizens frustrated by the lack of dentist provision might soon be able to receive treatments and check-ups throughout the European Union and charge the cost back to the NHS, Public Finance...
The university lecturers' pay dispute, which threatened to disrupt examinations for students across the country, has been settled after trade union leaders accepted the improved offer first tabled by...
Cabinet Office officials backed away from inflating savings targets for Whitehall's shared services programme because it was difficult to reflect improvements in services delivered, Public Finance...
Ahead of his CIPFA Conference fringe lecture, Lord Hattersley speaks to Joseph McHugh on getting too cosy with the private sector, the breakdown of the party machine and why he's counting the days...
Scotland's deputy auditor general is renowned as a cool, strategic thinker, a quality she will bring to CIPFA as the institute's new president. Mike Thatcher reports
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...
The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement's head marries 'lean-thinking' management-speak with NHS values. Sally Gainsbury meets a man of change
Scotland's public sector watchdog has defended itself against claims by members of the Scottish Parliament that it might not be achieving best value following rising costs in its budget.
The Department for Education and Skills has pledged to review the new Dedicated Schools Grant following criticism from MPs and local authorities that it prevents funds being targeted at deprived...
Local government should seize the opportunity offered by the Lyons Inquiry and push for a model of local transport funding akin to that developed by Transport for London, the Local Government...
The government has pressed ahead with an extension to its flagship Patient Choice initiative, despite new evidence from the Department of Health that shows well-educated patients benefit most from...
Scottish business leaders have given cautious backing to a proposal to hand a share of income tax, corporation tax and VAT directly to the Scottish Executive rather than to the Treasury in London.
Unions representing university academics have rejected a proposed 13.1% pay rise over three years, and warned that their exam-marking boycott might intensify into full-scale strike action.
A bigger share of public expenditure must be invested in education over the next two decades if Scotland is to compete internationally and combat poverty and inequality, First Minister Jack McConnell...
Patricia Hewitt survived the recent Cabinet reshuffle. But her department faces huge upheavals, with newly merged SHAs and PCTs and a worldwide search for a new health service boss. Seamus Ward...
